Subtropical Storm Josephine Forms Near Cape Cod with Strong Winds

Subtropical Storm Josephine has officially formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is now pushing up the East Coast toward Cape Cod. This system, which meteorologists were tracking just hours ago under the designation Invest 93L, rides over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Those currents helped it gain tropical characteristics as it drifted away from a nearby frontal boundary.

Right now, the storm sits roughly 265 miles south of Nantucket. It is churning with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. Expectations are for it to drift north-northeast before swinging northeast and accelerating offshore by Friday. There is a chance it will briefly impact Atlantic Canada as it moves away from land.

Wind gusts are already spreading across parts of the Northeast, starting Wednesday evening and continuing into Thursday. Long Island and eastern Massachusetts could face gusts between 30 and 40 mph. Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard might see winds exceeding 50 mph on Thursday. Showers are also possible over Cape Cod and Rhode Island, though rainfall totals should stay low. The wind and rain are forecast to subside by this weekend.

Coastal flooding is another concern according to the FOX Forecast Center. For most areas outside the Chesapeake Bay, yesterday afternoon's high tide was likely the last period with significant flooding. However, moderate coastal flooding could persist in parts of the Chesapeake Bay into Thursday or early Friday. Stay with FOX Weather as this story unfolds.