NYC Weather: Tornado Possible As Storm Hits New York City

NEW YORK CITY — A tornado could arrive in New York City Friday afternoon, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

"Scattered damaging winds, severe hail, and a couple tornadoes are probable across parts of New York into western New England this afternoon through early evening," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wrote on its storm prediction website.

An accompanying map shows New York City is at marginal risk of seeing a tornado form.

The tornado warning comes amid a month of weird May weather that has included a gustnado, hail storms and freezing cold temperatures.

New York City also faces an particularly heavy hurricane season that could bring 16 named storms — four more than the average — up the Atlantic Coast this summer.

City Council Member Justin Brannan, chair of the Committee on Resiliency and Waterfronts, has opined New York City will not be able to social distance should a large storm hit.

How difficult weather conditions will affect a city battling new coronavirus remains uncertain, but Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday his office is already taking measures to fight against extreme heat and blackouts.

"The heat is coming no matter what," de Blasio said. "It's not only uncomfortable ... it can be dangerous unto itself."

While the need to social distance means beaches and pools will likely remain closed throughout the summer, City Hall will be taking some creative measures that include free air conditioners for low income seniors and "misting oases" in public parks.

New York City has budgeted $55 million to buy more than 74,000 air conditioners, with 22,000 going to NYCHA residents and 450,000 New Yorkers will receive a subsidy on summer utility bills, de Blasio said.

To prepare for blackouts, the city is adding 22 portable generators to its stockpile of 66 and urging New York State to mandate generator hookups be installed at nursing homes.

"This is going to be a different summer than any we've experienced in New York City," de Blasio said. "We're going to take this day by day, week by week."