Jul 16, 2026, 8:45 PM GMT
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Powerful thunderstorms, flood threat after smoke surge in NYC, Tri-State: Live updates
Last updated: Saturday, July 18, 2026 7:07PM GMT
NEW YORK (WABC) -- It will be a one-two punch of bad weather on Saturday: Smoky skies followed by severe storms that have already prompted a Flash Flood Warning as downpours drench parts of the region.
After a welcome reprieve on Friday, smoke from Canadian wildfires returned to New York City and the Tri-State area on Saturday, once again creating unhealthy air quality.
Those smoky conditions are expected to gradually improve through the day as winds shift, but a new problem has emerged: Strong to severe thunderstorms, which, while helping to clear the smoke, will bring a round of hazardous weather to much of the region. The first powerful storm swept through parts of northern New Jersey and New York City, with a Flash Flood Warning in effect through 2 pm.
The storms could produce flooding downpours, damaging wind gusts and even a few isolated tornadoes, making for a stormy finish to the day.
Use our Air Quality Tracker to see the latest conditions.
Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, or fatigue, and can aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.
Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing an N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner.
Check back for live updates.
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Here's how the news is developing.
Jul 16, 2026, 8:54 PM GMT
Youth soccer match attended by Mamdani moves indoors due to poor air quality
Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended a youth soccer match that was forced to move indoors because of the smoke.
NYC Parks summer campers brought the heat inside the St. James Recreation Center in the Bronx.
The mayor and the New York City Parks Department pivoted what's typically an outdoor soccer game to safer conditions after the Canadian wildfires sparked an air quality alert across the region.
Crystal Cranmore reports from Bedford Park with more on how New Yorkers are dealing with the unhealthy air.
Jul 16, 2026, 7:47 PM GMT
Where to get free masks in NYC
Masks are available at all NYPD precincts, select FDNY firehouses, all Brooklyn and Queens public library locations, select NYPL branches and transit hubs.
Click here for the city's mask distribution map.
Jul 16, 2026, 6:12 PM GMT
Newark distributing masks; all outdoor city pools closed
The City of Newark is distributing free masks as the Air Quality Index is expected to reach 200 on Thursday.
Due to the poor air quality, all City of Newark outdoor pools will be closed until air quality conditions improve.
Masks are available at the following locations while supplies last at the following locations:
- Newark City Hall, 920 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Blvd.
- Shani Baraka Women's Resource Center, 300 Clinton Ave.
- Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center at Speedway Avenue, 701 South Orange Ave.
- Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, 394 University Ave.
- Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, 110 William St.
