JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — You may have heard the term “northeaster,” more commonly known as a “nor’easter.” Here on the First Coast, the phrase usually signals a period of strong northeasterly winds, high surf and the potential for tidal flooding. But it’s important not to confuse our local nor’easters with the massive winter storms often seen off New England.

In the Northeast, nor’easters are powerful cold-season systems that develop from deep coastal lows. These storms often bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and damaging winds. The term “nor’easter” itself comes from the regional New England accent, where the “th” in “northeaster” is dropped.

Florida nor’easters, however, are different in both timing and impact. They tend to occur in late summer and fall and are usually tied to the inte

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