A brewing nor’easter could deliver heavy rain, strong winds, dangerous surf and flooding to parts of the East Coast this week, although forecasters say its exact path and strength remain uncertain. As defined by the National Weather Service, a nor'easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America where winds over coastal regions usually come from the northeast. Such storms can form at any time of year but are most common and powerful between September and April.
These systems “nearly always” bring heavy rain or snow, as well as gale-force winds, rough seas and occasional coastal flooding, according to the agency. The Weather Channel said an area of low pressure could intensify into a nor’easter off the Northeast coast late in the week. The outlet warned that the system could trigger travel disruptions and also potentially bring high surf, rain, wind, and coastal erosion to the area.
An area of high pressure is expected to form near the Great Lakes while the low-pressure system moves north along the East Coast, according to The Weather Channel. Winds are forecast to strengthen as the two systems move closer together, it said. Forecast models showed different possible positions for the low, The Weather Channel reported.
It said one model brought the system closer to shore, which could mean stronger winds, more rain and additional coastal erosion in the Northeast. Another model, it said, placed the low farther offshore, which may result in fewer effects along the Interstate 95 corridor. AccuWeather forecast that coastal flooding around high tide was likely from North Carolina to New York from Tuesday through Friday.
It said the threat could continue along the northern Mid-Atlantic coast and expand into southeastern New England during the weekend. The outlet added that the full moon is set to raise astronomical tide levels later in the week and that the storm could push water levels higher. FOX Weather, meanwhile, forecast major coastal flooding, extreme surf and continuous heavy rain in the Outer Banks.
Wind gusts in some areas could reach 40 to 50 mph, while offshore waves could rise to between 15 and 18 feet, according to the outlet. FOX Weather also said ocean overwash was expected on coastal roads, including Highway 12. The FOX Forecast Center said that “moderate” coastal flooding was expected during high tides, particularly around at-risk back bays and low-lying coastal roads.
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