Powerful Nor’Easter Is Expected To Hit the Northeast, Bringing Heavy Snow and High Winds

Millions of people in the Northeast are bracing for a powerful, multiday nor'easter that will bring heavy, wet snow and high winds, potentially resulting in power outages across the region during the first half of the workweek.

Winter has been relatively quiet, with major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor largely avoiding major winter storms.

This could change depending on where the nor'easter winds up.

California braces for another atmospheric river storm

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Snow totals will vary greatly, with lower amounts expected closer to the coast and more than a foot expected in some areas of upstate New York and New England, as per Fox News.

Some areas may see 2 feet or more by the time the storm passes through by midweek.

As the nor'easter spins to the northeast, high winds, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages are also a concern.

After days of heavy rain and melting snow triggered Flash Flood Emergencies and killed at least two people last week, California has been trying to pick up the pieces.

The Golden State is now bracing for more torrential rain and flooding from a second atmospheric river storm.

The NOAA Weather Prediction Center has already issued a moderate risk of excessive rainfall for Monday, highlighting areas from San Francisco to Sacramento and points northward as having the highest risk of flooding.

On Tuesday, the greatest flood risk will move south, affecting much of Central California.

Within 25 miles of a given point, there is at least a 40% chance of flash flooding.

Spring break has arrived once again. This week, people from all over the country will flock to Florida for some fun in the sun and sand.

Red tide, however, is a concern for beachgoers.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been monitoring a massive harmful algae bloom known as red tide, which has been intensifying off Florida's coast, resulting in fish kills and respiratory irritation.

According to the FWC, the red tide organism, Karenia breves, was detected in 157 samples taken along Florida's Gulf Coast over the last week.

While the red tide has largely avoided northwestern Florida and the state's east coast, it's a different story along the Sunshine State's southwestern coast.

Also Read: US Weather Forecast: Coastal Storm to Bring Heavy Rain and Snow in New England

'Potent' Nor'easter to Bring Heavy Snow

According to the National Weather Service, a late-winter nor'easter is expected to bring widespread heavy, wet snow, rain, and gusty winds to parts of the Northeast that have otherwise had a largely snowless season beginning Monday night and lasting into Wednesday, as per The New York Times.

Heavy snow rates and strong winds of up to 50 miles per hour will likely make travel dangerous to impossible in parts of the Northeast, causing scattered to widespread power outages and tree damage, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

The storm, which forecasters described as "potent," will strengthen over the Northeast on Monday, with the heaviest snowfall expected across inland areas of the region, according to the Weather Service.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul advised residents to stock up on supplies and prepare for the next three days. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said officials in his state were keeping an eye on the storm.

On Monday morning, millions of people in New England were under winter storm warnings and advisories.

According to Bob Oravec, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, the weather system will most likely begin with rain and then transition into heavier snow in some areas.

A nor'easter isn't defined precisely, but it occurs when a storm over the Atlantic tracks nearly parallel to the East Coast and delivers strong winds from the northeast. They are most common between September and April.

Snow rates of two inches or more per hour are possible with this nor'easter, and accumulations of more than a foot are possible in higher elevation areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Total snowfall could be even higher in New York's Catskills and southern Adirondacks, western Massachusetts' Berkshires, and Vermont's southern Green Mountains.

According to the New York Weather Service, five to ten inches of snow could fall in the interior of the Lower Hudson Valley, northeastern New Jersey, and southwestern Connecticut.

Driving conditions are expected to be hazardous, and "widespread minor coastal flooding" is possible, according to forecasters.

Snow amounts are most uncertain in coastal areas, including New York City, Long Island, and New Haven, Conn., and will depend on how close to the coast the low pressure intensifies, according to the Weather Service in New York.

Forecasters predict widespread minor coastal flooding and beach erosion through Wednesday.

Related article: US Weather Update: Massive Storms Strikes Down With Some Snow in New York City