Northeast braces for season's first nor'easter with major coastal flooding and 60 mph gusts

Key points

• The storm is expected to bring gusts of 40 to 60 mph and localized flooding from New Jersey to Maine, with the biggest impacts starting late Friday.
• Coastal flooding is forecast to run 1 to 3 feet above high tide, with waves reaching up to 22 feet in New England and 12 feet in Ocean City, New Jersey.
• Southeastern Virginia, particularly the Virginia Beach-to-Norfolk area, is at the highest risk for major coastal inundation, while the highest rainfall totals (2 to 3 inches or more) are expected from Rhode Island to eastern Massachusetts.
• A full moon on Saturday night could intensify tides and worsen flooding, and the storm could potentially become a hybrid system due to warm ocean temperatures.
• The Boston Red Sox moved their season finale from Sunday to Friday to avoid weather-related delays, and residents in Massachusetts were seen hauling boats out of the bay in preparation for the storm.

Background

This storm follows a series of significant weather events in the region, including a developing fall nor'easter that threatened the Tri-State area with heavy rain and strong winds in late September, and Tropical Storm Moke and Hurricane Lowell that impacted Hawaii in August and September, respectively. The current nor'easter is the season's first, and its impacts are expected to be significant, with potential for major coastal flooding and strong winds.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post emphasizes the storm's potential to produce dangerous conditions, particularly in the corridor from New Jersey to Maine, and notes that the storm could become a hybrid system due to warm ocean temperatures. The Weather Channel focuses on the ramping up of coastal flooding as the nor'easter batters the East Coast. NBC News highlights the uncertainty in the storm's exact track but notes that wherever it goes, it will hit the region hard, with high confidence in a long-duration onshore wind event. Yahoo emphasizes the potential for major coastal flooding and hurricane-force gusts in New England. All sources agree on the severity of the storm and the potential for significant impacts, but they differ in their emphasis on specific regions and aspects of the storm.

Why it matters

The nor'easter poses a significant threat to millions of people in the Northeast, with potential for major coastal flooding, strong winds, and heavy rain. The storm could cause power outages, downed trees, and other damage, and could disrupt travel and daily life. The potential for major coastal flooding, particularly in southeastern Virginia and New England, could have significant economic and social impacts, and could put lives at risk. The storm's potential to become a hybrid system due to warm ocean temperatures could make it even more dangerous, and could lead to more severe impacts than initially forecast.

What to watch

Forecasters will continue to monitor the storm's track and update their forecasts as more data becomes available. More alerts are likely to be issued throughout the day Thursday, and residents in the affected areas should prepare for the storm by charging devices, stocking up on batteries, and securing their property. The Boston Red Sox have already moved their season finale to Friday to avoid weather-related delays, and other events and activities may be affected as well. The storm is expected to weaken by Monday, but its impacts could be long-lasting, particularly in areas that experience major coastal flooding.