Josephine moves away from US as coastal flooding and dangerous surf persist

Subtropical Storm Josephine was accelerating northeastward away from the United States early Thursday, but its broad wind field continued to create hazards along the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

65 mph winds south of Nantucket

In its 5 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time advisory on October 22, the hurricane center placed Josephine about 195 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Maximum sustained winds were 65 mph, and the storm was moving northeast at 13 mph. Winds of 40 mph extended as far as 415 miles from its center.

Forecasters expected additional strengthening as Josephine transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, with hurricane-force winds possible by early Friday. The projected track would keep the center away from the United States and south of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland over the following days. That forecast did not mean a hurricane was expected to make landfall.

Coastal effects continue despite offshore track

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect in the advisory. Nevertheless, gale-force gusts remained possible along parts of the northeastern US coast Thursday. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding was ongoing along sections of the Mid-Atlantic and could continue around high tide through the rest of the week.

Large swells were also affecting much of the Eastern Seaboard and parts of Atlantic Canada, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents. Residents and visitors should consult their local National Weather Service office for current coastal alerts.

Satellite imagery: CSU/CIRA & NOAA via CNN Newsource; Josephine off the East Coast on October 21, 2026.

Sources

• National Hurricane Center: Josephine Advisory 3, October 22
• 6abc: Josephine and its coastal impacts
• CIRA: satellite image credits
• NOAA: imagery reuse policy