An intense nor’easter forecast for this weekend could bring heavy rain, 50–60 mph gusts and significant coastal flooding to millions across the Northeast. The heaviest rain—2 to 3 inches or more—is most likely from Rhode Island to eastern Massachusetts.
Forecast models still disagree on the storm’s exact track, and small shifts could determine where trees fall and power outages occur. Coastal flooding is expected to reach 1 to 3 feet above high tide. Moderate to major flooding is likely from North Carolina to Nantucket, while southeastern Virginia—especially Virginia Beach to Norfolk—faces the greatest risk of major inundation. Coastal flood warnings and high-wind watches are already in place along much of the East Coast, with more alerts expected Thursday.
Waves are expected to reach 12 feet in Ocean City, New Jersey, and up to 22 feet in New England; Saturday night’s full moon could worsen tides and flooding. New Jersey crews cleared storm drains, and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden urged residents to charge devices and stock batteries ahead of possible outages. Boston’s Red Sox moved Sunday’s season finale to Friday to avoid potential weather delays or cancellations.
