The first nor\u2019easter of the season is battering the Eastern Seaboard, already causing nearly 100 flood events and forcing coastal communities from Florida to Massachusetts to brace for more rain, strong winds and flooding.<\/p>\n
Some of the nation\u2019s most populated metro areas are directly in the storm\u2019s path. New York City and Washington, D.C., along with other major cities along the coast, could face coastal flooding, travel disruptions, and power outages as the storm moves northward.<\/p>\n
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency<\/a> late Sunday, Oct. 12, over New York City, Long Island and Westchester County<\/p>\n \u201cAs the Nor\u2019easter continues making its way through New York, I\u2019m declaring a State of Emergency across boroughs and counties most impacted by the storm,\u201d Hochul said.\u00a0\u201cThe safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I continue to urge extreme caution until the storm has passed through the state.\u201d<\/p>\n Airport areas \u2014 including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Teterboro \u2014 may see gusts of 29 to 40 mph this afternoon, gradually easing to between 23 and 29 mph by early Tuesday, Oct. 14, according to the National Weather Service area forecast discussion. <\/a><\/p>\n Winds could make outdoor activities hazardous and affect flights.<\/p>\n What is a Nor’easter?<\/p>\n A Nor\u2019easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America<\/a> that typically blow over coastal areas. These storms can occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most intense between September and April, according to the National Weather Service.<\/a><\/p>\n Nor\u2019easters usually develop between Georgia and New Jersey, within about 100 miles of the coast, and generally move northeastward, reaching maximum intensity near New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. They often bring heavy precipitation \u2014 rain or snow \u2014 along with gale-force winds, rough seas and sometimes coastal flooding.<\/p>\n Potential impacts of the Nor\u2019easter in New York<\/p>\n Heavy rain:\u00a01\u20132 inches of rain are possible into Monday. Showers will increase in the morning and continue off and on throughout the day. Visibility may be reduced, and minor flooding could occur in low-lying, flood-prone areas.<\/p>\n Strong winds:\u00a0Gusts could reach 40\u201360 mph along exposed shorelines, including Long Island and the Connecticut coast. Winds will gradually ease later in the day.<\/p>\n Coastal flooding and storm surge:\u00a0A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect through 6 p.m.. Water could rise 1\u00bd\u20132\u00bd ft above ground level in vulnerable waterfront areas. Moderate flooding is likely in New York Harbor and tidal inlets, with locally major flooding possible in southern Nassau and southwestern Suffolk counties. Minor beach erosion and small overwashes are expected along the oceanfront.<\/p>\n Marine hazards:\u00a0Gale-force winds and rough seas will make boating dangerous. Waves could reach 5\u20137 ft in Long Island Sound, with up to 12 ft in the eastern Sound. Conditions will gradually improve as the storm moves offshore, but rough seas may persist into Wednesday.<\/p>\n Travel and safety:\u00a0Heavy rain and strong winds could make driving hazardous. Flooding may spread inland via tidal rivers and bays like the Hudson, Hackensack, and Passaic. Officials warn against driving through flooded roads and say barriers may close key streets near the waterfront. High tide cycles, especially midday, present the greatest risk.<\/p>\n How do Nor\u2019easters develop?<\/p>\n The U.S. East Coast provides an ideal environment for Nor\u2019easters. In winter, the polar jet stream pushes cold Arctic air south across Canada and the U.S., then east toward the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Weather Service<\/a>. At the same time, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic moves northward. The contrast between the cold land air and relatively warm coastal waters \u2014 kept mild by the Gulf Stream \u2014 fuels these storms, creating the strong winds and precipitation that define a Nor\u2019easter.<\/p>\n Do Nor\u2019easters always have snow?<\/p>\n No. Whether a Nor\u2019easter brings snow, rain, or a mix depends on the storm\u2019s track and temperatures:<\/p>\n Snow:\u00a0Most common in the northern Mid-Atlantic and New England when Arctic air dominates.<\/p>\n Rain:\u00a0More likely in the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic, where temperatures are warmer.<\/p>\n Mixed precipitation:\u00a0Possible in areas near the transition zone, with sleet or freezing rain.<\/p>\n Even without snow, Nor\u2019easters can still produce\u00a0strong winds, heavy rain, rough seas and coastal flooding, making them dangerous storms regardless of the type of precipitation.<\/p>\n Why is it called Nor’easter?<\/p>\n It\u2019s called a\u00a0Nor\u2019easter\u00a0because of the direction of the prevailing winds during the storm. In these systems, the winds along the coast usually blow from the\u00a0northeast.<\/p>\n How do Nor’easters differ from tropical storms or hurricanes?<\/p>\n Nor’easters are typically associated with colder seasons and form from a temperature contrast between cold Arctic air and relatively warm Atlantic waters.<\/p>\n Tropical storms and hurricanes form over warm tropical or subtropical waters, and predominantly develop in warmer months.<\/p>\n Nor’easters also have a larger wind field, while tropical storms have a well-defined eye with the strongest winds near the center.<\/p>\n New York weather watches and warningsStay informed. Get weather alerts via text<\/p>\n Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com<\/a>. Find her on Facebook here.<\/a><\/p>\n