Title: East Coast Faces Threat from Developing Nor’easter

(NEW YORK) — A developing nor’easter off the coast of Florida is expected to impact the East Coast this weekend and into next week. Major cities and coastal regions in the Northeast may experience heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal flooding, and beach erosion.

On Friday morning, a cold front that has brought cooler temperatures to the Northeast stalled over the Florida Peninsula. This created a low-pressure system that is expected to form along the Southeast coast, tracking parallel to the East Coast from Friday into Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, the storm is projected to move near North Carolina’s Outer Banks and then off the Jersey Shore, before moving away later on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The nor’easter is anticipated to bring a variety of impacts to the East Coast, with some effects reaching well inland. Coastal areas from the Carolinas to Long Island and southern coastal New England are likely to be the most affected. Winds could reach up to 60 mph, with rainfall totals ranging from 2 to over 5 inches. This could lead to moderate to major tidal flooding and significant beach erosion.

Inland regions, particularly along the Interstate 95 corridor, may see up to 2 inches of rain and wind gusts between 20 to 40 mph. The heaviest rainfall is expected from Saturday through Tuesday, raising concerns about flash flooding, strong winds, and coastal flooding.

High wind watches have been issued for southern Delaware, coastal New Jersey, and Long Island from Sunday morning through Monday morning. Sustained winds are expected to be between 20 to 30 mph, with gusts potentially exceeding 60 mph. Additionally, coastal flood watches are in effect from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to coastal Massachusetts for Sunday and Monday, indicating at least minor to moderate flooding.

Areas from Delaware to the Jersey Shore and Long Island may experience moderate to potentially major impacts, with the possibility of structural damage in coastal and bayside communities. Significant beach erosion is also a concern along the East Coast, particularly from the Outer Banks to coastal New England.