Related Video: Stunning timelapse of thunderstorms over US (AFP via Getty Images)

A rare tornado warning was issued and hail was reported in parts of New York City, as the East Coast braced for damaging winds and strong to severe thunderstorms ahead of a cold front pushing across the eastern US.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for New York, including New York City, as well as New Jersey, Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania and eastern Maryland through Tuesday afternoon.

A tornado warning was initially issued in parts of Manhattan, the first time the city had seen an April tornado warning in nearly a decade. The warning did not impact a central area of the city where a coronavirus patient field hospital has been established.

The warning was cancelled shortly after it was issued, but strong winds persisted through the afternoon.

Hail was reported throughout the city's boroughs, while massive, sinister cloud formations and water spouts were spotted off the New Jersey coastline.

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The last tornado to hit New York City was in August 2018, when an 85 mph tornado roared through Queens and knocked down several trees and power lines.

Colder air is expected to hit the East Coast late on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the southern US is bracing for more severe weather following several deadly tornadoes.

Damaging winds and flash floods are predicted for much of the southeastern US from Wednesday through Thursday.

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