Article published: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, 4 p.m. CDT

System type: Subtropical storm

System name: Josephine

The National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory for subtropical storm at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Subtropical Storm Josephine is in the Atlantic Ocean, 265 miles south of Nantucket Massachusetts and 585 miles southwest of Halifax Nova Scotia. It is moving north at 6 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

“… Josephine should move away from the United States and remain south of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland,” forecasters observed. “Some strengthening is expected, though Josephine is anticipated to remain a subtropical storm through early Thursday.” They also said “Further strengthening is likely by late Thursday as Josephine becomes a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds.”

Hazards affecting land

Wind. Gale-force winds are possible in gusts along portions of the northeastern United States coast through Thursday.

Coastal flooding. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding is ongoing along portions of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast and will continue through the rest of the week around times of high tide.

Surf. Large swells generated by Josephine are affecting much of the eastern seaboard of the United States and portions of Atlantic Canada. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?ripCurrents

Source: National Hurricane Center