Nor'easter Expected to Bring Heavy Rain, Coastal Flooding and Strong Winds Along the East Coast
Meteorologists warn that an offshore nor'easter will produce several days of rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding from New Jersey to North Carolina, while a separate Pacific system threatens flash floods in the western United States.
A developing nor'easter moving offshore along the Atlantic seaboard is forecast to bring several days of rain, strong winds and coastal flooding. Flood advisories have been issued from the Jersey Shore to the Outer Banks, with expected water levels of 1-2 feet due to onshore winds. Coastal cities from New Jersey to Cape Hatteras are likely to see beach erosion, gusts of up to 44 mph in Nantucket, 39 mph at Cape Hatteras and 32 mph in Virginia Beach, and localized flooding.
Rainfall is expected to remain mostly offshore, but the easternmost parts of the country, including Cape Cod and Nantucket, could experience significant precipitation and rough surf with rip currents by Thursday. The system has a 40% chance of developing into a tropical storm within two days and a similar probability over the next week; if it does, it would be named Josephine and is projected to intensify while moving eastward away from land.
At the same time, a separate storm system in the Pacific is bringing heavy rain, flooding and mountain snow to the western United States. Flash-flood warnings are in effect from Southern California to the Rocky Mountains, and a flood threat extends across California and the Southwest through Thursday. Six million residents in Arizona, including the Phoenix and Flagstaff areas, are under a flood watch.