Nor’easter Takes Shape Along Atlantic Coast
High wind and coastal flood alerts are in effect for millions up and down the Atlantic Coast as a nor’easter takes shape Friday and crawls north just offshore the next several days. The storm is expected to bring significant saltwater flooding, beach erosion, and winds gusting over 40 mph to vulnerable areas.
A non-tropical area of low pressure is developing near the Central Florida east coast along the cold front that’s pushing south. The low and its associated dip in the jet stream are in the configuration that often produces strong nor’easters along the Mid-Atlantic coast up to New England in the winter. This is not a developing tropical storm because it’s connected to the front that divides the cool Canadian air to the north and the moist tropical air to the south.
Storm Forecast and Impacts
The low is forecast to begin its move to the north tomorrow. Meanwhile, the strengthening low will whip the cold front through South Florida by tomorrow night, heralding a change in the season. Over the Atlantic, winds behind the front are quite strong, driven by a robust high-pressure system over the Northeast. Those winds will push the ocean water against the Southeast coast causing moderate to major flooding.
Satellite overview of the Nor’easter, Tropical Storm Jerry and Karen.
(Bryan Norcross / NOAA)
Significant saltwater flooding at high tide is forecast for Charleston beginning today, to pick just one location. The storm looks likely to intensify through the day tomorrow so that by late tomorrow and overnight into Sunday, northeast winds peak over the very vulnerable Outer Banks of North Carolina and nearby waters. Tides are predicted to run 2 to 4 feet above normal causing the ocean to overwash vulnerable spots.
Wind and Coastal Flooding Alerts
Winds will further increase from the east and northeast from the Mid-Atlantic to New England late Saturday and Sunday. Wind gusts to at least 60 mph capable of knocking out power are forecast along the coast. Coastal flooding is likely with tides running up to 3 feet above normal. Wind-driven rain and cool temperatures will make conditions especially nasty.
Current projections keep the storm in place through Monday – pounding the Jersey Shore, Long Island, NY, and coastal New England. By Tuesday, the system is forecast to weaken and drift southeast, away from the coast. This will be an extended period of damaging and dangerous weather right along the coast. Air travel is likely to be seriously disrupted in the Northeast.
Tropical Storms in the Atlantic
In the Central Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry has passed the northeast Caribbean, though its moisture tail is still affecting the islands. Rainfall could cause flooding in some areas. Up to 4 inches of rain is forecast over the islands from the Virgin Islands to the east, with up to 6 inches on Barbuda. This storm will curl out to sea over the weekend missing Bermuda by a good ways.
Tropical Storm Jerry
(Bryan Norcross / NOAA)
In the Northeast Atlantic, a robust non-tropical storm developed into Tropical Storm Karen. It’s going to be a flash in the pan, with the system forecast to dissipate tomorrow. This is the farthest north and east that any named storm on record has formed.
Subtropical Storm Karen
(Bryan Norcross / NOAA)
Otherwise, nothing is cooking, and the weather pattern looks hostile across the tropics for the next week or two. For the latest updates and forecasts, visit Here
Image Source: www.foxweather.com
