The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for New York City and the surrounding region until Midnight EST Friday, as Fay, the sixth named storm of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season barrels up the East Coast. Wind gusts up to 50 mph and flash flooding hazards are expected.
“Named storms” refers to Atlantic tropical cyclones with winds exceeding 40 miles per hour, upon which they are given a name by the National Hurricane Center. Fay is the earliest sixth named storm in recorded history, breaking a record set on July 21st, 2005 by 12 days.
The Atlantic Hurricane season officially begins June 1st and ends November 30th, typically peaking in late August through late September.