Rare September Nor'easter May Lash East Coast as Only 1% of Strongest Cases Hit This Month
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 21
Rare September Nor'easter May Lash East Coast as Only 1% of Strongest Cases Hit This Month
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 21
Summary
Millions along the Eastern Seaboard could face heavy rain, gusty winds and rough surf as a rare September nor’easter is forecast to strengthen off the Mid-Atlantic late Wednesday into Thursday.
Cool air dropping south from eastern Canada will collide with warmer air and warmer-than-average Atlantic waters, fueling the storm as it develops near North Carolina and then likely moves north.
Tuesday and Wednesday already bring moderate-to-heavy rain across the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, while onshore winds may cause minor-to-moderate tidal flooding in vulnerable areas such as the western Chesapeake Bay.
The biggest risk still hinges on track: a closer pass could bring coastal inundation, beach erosion and locally damaging winds, while a farther-offshore path would limit impacts; the system could linger into early next week.
September nor’easters are uncommon—about 1% of the strongest historical cases occur this month—and forecasters say this one may foreshadow an active cool-season storm track along the East Coast.