Thunderstorms and 'Damaging' Wind Gusts to Hit NYC on Monday

Strong winds and heavy rain expected to pummel the city during the evening commute.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:26am

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New Yorkers can expect showers and thunderstorms to hit the city starting around 2 p.m. on Monday, with a 'narrow squall line' bringing damaging, high-powered wind gusts and more rain during the evening commute before moving out by 2 a.m., according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Carl Erickson. The main threats include localized damaging wind gusts and urban flooding, leading the city to ban empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks on MTA bridges starting at 4 p.m.

Why it matters

Severe weather events can disrupt transportation, cause power outages, and pose risks to public safety, making it important for New Yorkers to stay informed and prepared. The city's response, including bridge restrictions, demonstrates the need to proactively manage extreme weather conditions.

The details

Erickson said the 'narrow squall line' will move through the Big Apple, with damaging, high-powered wind gusts and more rain hitting during the Monday evening commute, before moving out further east by 2 a.m. The main threat will be localized damaging wind gusts, as well as brief bursts of downpours that can lead to urban flooding, especially in poor drainage areas.

  • On Sunday night, an initial batch of downpours is expected.
  • Around 2 p.m. on Monday, showers and thunderstorms will start to pummel the city.
  • During the Monday evening commute, the 'narrow squall line' will bring damaging wind gusts and more rain.
  • By 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the storm system will have moved out of the area.
  • On Tuesday, it will be windy throughout the day and much colder, with temperatures struggling to reach the 40s.

The players

Carl Erickson

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist who provided the weather forecast and details for the incoming storm system.

New York City Emergency Management Department

The city agency that announced the ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks on MTA bridges starting at 4 p.m. on Monday due to the high winds expected.

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What they’re saying

“As the actual cold front comes on through, there'll be an increased chance for some localized damaging wind gusts later on in the evening.”

— Carl Erickson, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist (The Post)

“The main threat will be some of those localized damaging wind gusts, but also some of those brief bursts of downpours can lead to some urban flooding, especially in poor drainage areas.”

— Carl Erickson, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist (The Post)

What’s next

Residents should stay vigilant for any updates on road and transit conditions throughout Monday night as stormy conditions persist.

The takeaway

This severe weather event highlights the importance of New Yorkers staying informed and prepared for potential disruptions to transportation, power outages, and public safety risks. The city's proactive response, such as bridge restrictions, demonstrates its efforts to manage extreme weather conditions and protect its residents.