Strengthening nor’easter charges North, slamming the East Coast with coastal flooding, dangerous surf

THE TAKEAWAY

• A powerful nor'easter is threatening millions along the East Coast from North Carolina to Massachusetts.
• The storm is bringing high surf, strong winds, coastal flooding and severe beach erosion to multiple states.
• Depending on the storm's track, Boston and the Massachusetts coast could face 60 to 70 mph wind gusts, heavy rainfall, major storm surge, and significant disruptions.

A strengthening and dangerous nor'easter set to threaten millions on the East Coast has started its northern charge, with early impacts already being felt as millions from the Outer Banks to New England brace for days of coastal flooding, strong winds, severe beach erosion and pounding surf.

The storm is expected to intensify as it tracks north along the East Coast through the weekend, bringing prolonged rain, strong winds and coastal flooding through the weekend, with the potential for power outages across impacted areas from North Carolina to Maine. 

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According to the FOX Forecast Center, the worst impacts are expected from Friday night through Sunday across the Boston metro area, the North and South Shores of Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and coastal Rhode Island and Connecticut, where peak wind gusts could reach 50 to 65 mph, rainfall could exceed 5 inches and coastal inundation is possible.

Major travel hubs across the Northeast could face significant disruptions from the storm, with heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding creating difficult conditions along the I-95 corridor and other major highways, with flight delays and cancellations possible at major airports across the region.

Major coastal flooding is already ongoing from New Jersey to North Carolina as the storm takes shape, with far-reaching impacts battering beaches and the worst still to come.

Nor’easter intensifies, takes aim at East Coast Friday

The strengthening storm will consolidate and intensify Friday, unleashing pounding surf, heavy rain and rising winds from the Outer Banks to New York City and southern New England.

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Across the Outer Banks and Mid-Atlantic, wind gusts will reach 40 to 50 mph, while winds just off the coast could approach 60 mph. Offshore waves will peak at 15 to 18 feet. Trapped water will prevent drainage, escalating coastal flooding during high tides.

Along the Jersey Shore, onshore wind gusts will reach 35 to 45 mph, with widespread moderate high-tide flooding.

In New York City, rain will begin by mid-afternoon as wind gusts build throughout the day. Gusts of up to 40 mph will be likely. Coastal flooding will be possible late Friday in eastern and northern Queens, as well as parts of southern Brooklyn and Staten Island.

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From Long Island to southern New England and Boston, light showers will arrive Friday afternoon into the evening, beginning in southeastern Massachusetts and spreading toward Boston, with wind gusts building to 40 mph by late Friday night.

Nor’easter peaks Saturday as impacts intensify

The nor’easter is expected to peak Saturday, unleashing its worst impacts across New England with heavy rain bands, powerful winds, severe coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Boston and coastal Massachusetts will likely experience the worst overall impacts, including pounding rain, street flooding and powerful wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph late in the evening.

Across Long Island and the New York City corridor, strong northeast winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph will drive heavy wave action along south-facing ocean beaches. 

Beach erosion and tidal flooding will begin during the morning hours along Long Island Sound and South Shore bays. Coastal flooding will also be monitored in Long Island Sound into the East River.

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From the Outer Banks to New Jersey, waves will remain extremely high at 15 to 18 feet, with ongoing severe beach erosion and persistent inundation during high-tide cycles.

Nor’easter continues to batter the Northeast Sunday

The storm will remain near peak intensity Sunday as it meanders close to the coast, prolonging coastal flooding and heavy rain bands across areas already battered by days of nor’easter impacts.

Boston and coastal New England will see continued rain bands and very gusty winds, with gusts potentially approaching 60 mph. 

High tides combined with trapped water will keep the threat of coastal flooding and severe beach loss elevated through both the morning and evening high-tide cycles. Rain will continue to intensify, increasing the inland flood threat.

In New York City, some of the worst winds could occur on this day, with winds approaching 45 mph depending on the low’s position.

WHAT IS STORM SURGE?

Across New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic, rain will begin to clear out, but water levels will remain high, keeping moderate flooding in place through the morning high tide.

Nor’easter weakens into the workweek

As Monday rolls around, the storm will have weakened and inland conditions will have clearing inland conditions, though high surf leftovers continue, not to the extent of earlier in the week.

Coastal waters and beaches from Cape Cod to the Outer Banks will see seas slowly subside, though rough surf, beach erosion and minor residual high-tide flooding will take a couple of days to fully clear. 

Persistent light rain will continue to pinwheel around the nor’easter as the storm moves away from the coast.

Stay with FOX Weather for the latest as we continue to track this developing storm.