Full moon could worsen nor’easter flooding along East Coast — here are 5 places to watch
The full moon will intensify high tides along the East Coast, raising the stakes as a powerful nor’easter threatens to unleash widespread coastal impacts.
Powerful weekend nor'easter looms, threatening weekend plans for millions from Carolina to New England
A powerful nor'easter is brewing, preparing to bring damaging winds, coastal flooding, beach erosion and rough surf all up the East Coast this weekend. The exact track of the storm is uncertain but everyone from the Carolinas to coastal New England should be ready for impacts.
THE TAKEAWAY
- The full moon will amplify high tides along the East Coast as a powerful nor’easter approaches.
- Coastal communities from the Outer Banks to New England could face flooding, pounding surf and severe beach erosion.
- Full moon tides can run higher than normal for several tide cycles.
A brewing nor’easter is set to slam the East Coast with high winds, rough surf and coastal flooding — with an ill-timed full-moon high tide threatening to make the flooding even worse.
During a full moon, high tides rise higher than normal as the moon’s and sun’s gravitational forces align, intensifying their pull on the oceans.
Over the weekend, elevated full moon tides will collide with a powerful nor’easter, creating a dangerous one-two punch that could unleash devastating coastal flooding.
The upcoming full moon will reach peak illumination at 12:49 p.m. EDT Saturday, Sept. 26, just as a brewing nor’easter threatens to unleash its worst impacts along the East Coast.
The storm is expected to bring prolonged pounding surf, extreme beach erosion, persistent heavy rain and compounding coastal flooding, with dangerous conditions developing days before the nor’easter reaches its northernmost track.
NOR'EASTER LIVE TRACKER: FUTURE RADAR, WINDS, STORM SURGE, RAIN AND ALERTS
From the Outer Banks to New England, moderate to major flooding could repeat through successive high-tide cycles as powerful onshore winds drive water into bays and inlets.
As the storm tracks up the East Coast, gradually worsening impacts will build ahead of Saturday’s full moon, when elevated tides could compound the nor’easter’s effects, with New England expected to feel the most direct hit from the dangerous combination of full moon tides, storm surge and powerful winds.
The highest tide won’t hit every location at the exact moment of Saturday’s full moon, but the threat won’t disappear once the moon reaches peak illumination. Tides will run higher than normal for several days, raising the risk of coastal flooding leading up to the weekend.
TIMELINE: HERE'S WHERE AND WHEN MAJOR US CITIES WILL SEE IMPACTS FROM THE DEVELOPING NOR'EASTER
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
Along Virginia Beach and the Virginia coast, Saturday’s full moon will produce higher-than-normal tides after the main impacts of the nor'easter.
In Virginia Beach, the high tide closest to the full moon will occur around 7:55 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.4 feet.
Aerial drone view of Virginia Beach Skyline and Fishing Pier with Atlantic Ocean, Virginia City, Virginia. (Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The full moon high tide in Virginia Beach is expected to reach about 4.4 feet, roughly 0.6 feet higher than the average high tide of 3.8 feet in the days leading up to the full moon, according to NOAA tide predictions.
WHAT IS COASTAL EROSION AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
For Atlantic City and much of the Jersey Shore, the full moon tide will add fuel to an already dangerous coastal threat as water becomes trapped in back bays and sounds over consecutive high-tide cycles, preventing it from fully draining.
In Atlantic City, the high tide closest to the full moon will occur around 7:41 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.7 feet.
People are seen at the beach with Atlantic City in the background. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The full-moon high tide in Atlantic City is expected to reach about 4.7 feet, roughly 5 inches higher than the average high tide of 4.3 feet, according to NOAA.
LONG BEACH, NEW YORK
Long Beach offers a snapshot of conditions expected across the New York City and Long Island coast, where the brewing nor’easter could bring pounding surf, beach erosion and coastal flooding.
New York City could see pounding surf, beach erosion, coastal flooding, gusty winds and periods of heavy rain as the nor’easter churns nearby.
OUTER BANKS FIRST IN LINE FOR DEVELOPING NOR’EASTER AS DANGEROUS IMPACTS BEGIN WEDNESDAY
A view of the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn on August 13, 2024 in New York City. ( Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
In Long Beach, the high tide closest to the full moon will occur around 8:19 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.6 feet.
The full moon high tide in Long Beach is expected to reach about 4.6 feet, roughly 5 inches higher than the average high tide of 4.2 feet in the days leading up to the full moon, according to NOAA.
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
When the weekend arrives, New England will face an even greater threat as the storm’s close pass will coincide with peak full moon tides, creating a dangerous one-two punch of 60-plus-mph wind gusts, storm surge and trapped coastal water across Southern New England, Massachusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine.
WHAT MAKES A STORM A NOR'EASTER?
In Newport, the high tide closest to the full moon will occur around 7:58 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.1 feet.
A view of the Cliff Walk on May 9, 2020 in Newport, Rhode Island. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The following morning’s high tide — around 8:38 a.m. Sunday — is forecast to be higher at 4.3 feet.
The full moon high tide in Newport is expected to reach about 4.1 feet, roughly 7 inches higher than the average high tide of 3.5 feet in the days leading up to the full moon, according to NOAA.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Boston and surrounding coastal communities could face gusty northeast winds, heavy rain, pounding surf, beach erosion and pockets of coastal flooding as the nor’easter strengthens offshore.
Boston Harbor, Cape Cod and the North and South Shores face the greatest risk for significant coastal inundation and structural flooding, while massive swells, dangerous rip currents, heavy rain and a flash flood threat.
The Boston skyline at night is visible from Boston Harbor in Boston, USA, on July 2, 2024. (Erica Denhoff/NurPhoto / Getty Images)
In Boston, the high tide closest to the full moon will occur around 11:34 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 10.2 feet.
The full moon high tide in Boston is expected to reach about 10.2 feet, roughly 7 inches higher than the average high tide of 9.6 feet in the days leading up to the full moon, according to NOAA.