A nor’easter has caused coastal flooding in parts of Virginia and North Carolina; some areas may see gusts to 50 mph, with rain potentially continuing through the weekend. Scientists say warming is making the strongest nor’easters wetter and windier, raising flood risks.
The storm could stall near the coast between New Jersey and Long Island, prolonging strong winds, rain and coastal flooding. University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann said its slow movement could build a large storm surge.
Mann said human-caused warming lets the atmosphere hold more moisture, contributing to higher precipitation totals. Mathew Barlow of the University of Massachusetts Lowell said not every storm is intensifying; researchers have seen no increase in the overall number of nor’easters, which may even be edging down.
