Coastal flooding likely as blustery storm meanders off the East Coast
A developing storm is set to cause major problems for coastal communities up and down the eastern seaboard beginning this weekend, threatening high winds and flooding throughout the region.
Some meteorologists are calling this the most impactful storm to hit parts of the region in over a decade, with near-record coastal flooding possible in spots.
An upper-level trough over the southeast is spinning up a low-pressure system off the coast of Florida to end the week. We’ll see this system move up the coast toward North Carolina with very heavy rainfall and gusty winds heading into the weekend.
This storm isn’t moving anywhere in a hurry. A ridge of high pressure over New England and Eastern Canada will force the system to meander just off the coast.
The tight pressure gradient between the low and that high pressure to the north will fuel ripping winds directed at the Mid-Atlantic shoreline, which could easily exceed 60 mph at times.
Blustery conditions could lead to power outages from the Delmarva north through Long Island. Persistent winds pushing ashore will also lead to a risk for widespread coastal flooding from Jacksonville, Florida, all the way up north of Boston.
Many of the affected areas could essentially see a one- to two-foot storm surge later this weekend and into the day Monday. Significant beach erosion and closed roads are also possible.
Despite the hazards, it’s worth noting that this is not a tropical system—a storm doesn’t need a name to cause major disruptions.
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