Powerful Nor'easter to Bring Damaging Winds and Coastal Flooding This Week

Autumn is going to arrive with a vengeance this week in the Northeast. Forecasters are warning that a strengthening storm could turn into an early-season nor'easter, unleashing heavy rain, high winds, and erosive surf along the coastline of the mid-Atlantic and to the north.

Start of Fall Will Usher in Major Storm to the East Coast

Tuesday evening marks the beginning of the fall season. The start of the season will be marked by a potent storm system taking aim at a zone from North Carolina up the coast into New England. A dip in the jet stream will support the development of a storm just off the East Coast. Where the storm forms in relation to the coastline will determine the severity of impacts for this populated part of the country.

The latest forecast models suggest that the storm could strengthen into a nor'easter if it forms closer to the coast. While the storm may drift out to sea for a short time, it could make a turn back to the west and deliver significant impacts to the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts. The weather maker will end up being less severe if the system does not make a turn back toward land.

Forecasters are predicting that the southeastern corner of Virginia could see major tidal impacts and torrential rain. Meanwhile, southeastern New England could be dealing with either a nor'easter or subtropical storm packing strong winds, steady rain, and coastal flooding. The line of moisture could reach as far north as Maine, helping to ease drought conditions in this part of the Northeast.

Rough Surf and Coastal Erosion in the Forecast

Even if the storm remains out to sea, the rough surf conditions will likely trigger meaningful beach erosion and tides that come in well over average levels. The timing of the full moon later in the week will send these tides even higher.

Coastal flooding is expected along the stretch of coastline from North Carolina to New York beginning on Tuesday and lasting through Friday. The threat is likely to linger through the weekend in an area from the northern mid-Atlantic and up into southeastern New England.

The lower half of the Chesapeake Bay, the western edge of this body of water, and the tidal rivers that feed into it will all be under the threat of major coastal flooding. The peak of this flooding is expected during the time of astronomical high tides starting Wednesday.

There is a chance that this weather maker could take on formal tropical characteristics if it lingers offshore long enough to feed on the waters in the Atlantic. Should this happen, the system would be designated a hybrid or subtropical storm. Small watercraft operators would be wise to keep an eye on this development.

While the rain and wind may not be a welcome addition to the forecast, the cool air coming along with this weather pattern will come as a relief to some. Highs will top out in the low 70s near the coast.

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