Nor'easter Threatens Coastal Flooding From Virginia to New England

Forecasters are growing more certain that a powerful nor'easter is going to threaten millions of Americans along the East Coast in the coming days. Here is the latest on this storm as the forecast models become more aligned.

First Nor'easter of the Season Expected to Form This Week

Portions of the eastern U.S. are already beginning to see some of the impacts associated with the first nor'easter of the season. Forecasters are warning that the early-season storm will usher in heavy rain, high winds, coastal flooding, and pounding surf in a zone from the Carolinas and up into New England as the week progresses.

The system is currently producing rain across much of the mid-Atlantic as strong high pressure builds to the north. The risk of coastal flooding will intensify as the week progresses, first impacting the Outer Banks of North Carolina before moving up the coast into New England. Strong northeasterly winds circulating offshore will push the ocean water toward the coast on Wednesday.

Heavy surf and dangerous rip currents will be the story as the storm moves along the coastline. The timing of the storm with the high tide cycles connected with the full moon will amplify the threat of coastal flooding as the waves crash onto the shoreline.

A zone from the Outer Banks through the mid-Atlantic and up into Long Island is bracing for significant beach erosion and damage to the coastal dunes.  As this weather maker moves to the north on Wednesday, a nor'easter is forecast to form heading into Thursday when the surface low-pressure system begins to intensify off the coast of the Southeast.

Rainfall, Flooding, and Wind Impacts

Coastal flooding of 3 to 6 feet is likely across parts of Virginia and Maryland on Wednesday. The worst of the flooding is expected to set up over the mouths of the rivers that flow into the western flank of the Chesapeake Bay. This includes the James, Rappahannock, Pamunkey, and Potomac rivers.

Moderate to major coastal flooding is in the forecast for the lower portion of the Atlantic-facing shoreline of Delmarva. Heading farther north, minor to moderate coastal flooding of 2 to 3 feet is expected for an area from northern Delmarva up into southern New Jersey through Saturday. Wind gusts hitting speeds of 40 to 50 mph along some coastal regions will push the water ashore, exacerbating the impact of the flooding associated with the full moon.

The storm will shift toward New England at the start of the weekend as the center of the low-pressure system inches closer to the Interstate 95 corridor. The precise direction of this nor'easter is still unclear, making it difficult to predict if Boston or New York City will see the worst of the impacts. Tropical storm-force winds could cause widespread power outages.

This is definitely a weather story that you are going to want to stay on top of if you live on the East Coast.

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