Nor’easter Threat Grows: Northeast Braces For Rain, Wind, And First Snow

The potential for a nor’easter is increasing this week, with forecasters warning that millions across the Northeast and New England could see their first snow of the season as cold air sweeps in. Computer forecast models are showing growing agreement that a coastal storm will form late in the week, bringing wind, rain, and the season’s coldest temperatures so far to the eastern United States.

Showers may begin late Thursday as the storm develops off the Delmarva Peninsula and pushes northeast. Meteorologists expect the storm’s main impact on Friday, with rain turning to snow in higher elevations of central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire as colder air is drawn in behind stronger northerly winds. Accumulations are expected to be light and spotty, mainly confined to elevated areas.

Cities including Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Binghamton could see their first snowflakes, with the mountainous terrain of the Poconos, Catskills, and Berkshires also facing the risk of snow. However, warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures may keep precipitation as rain in major cities along the I-95 corridor—such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston—where surface temperatures are expected to remain too high for snow to stick.

Wind gusts along the coast could exceed 40 mph, while inland areas might see gusts up to 30 mph. Despite strong winds and rain, the risk of coastal flooding is considered low due to lower high tides, though moderate beach erosion is still possible.

The nor’easter is expected to move out late Friday night or early Saturday, with colder northwesterly winds and lingering snow showers possible in the wake of the system.

The cold air following the storm will be noticeable, with temperatures from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians forecast to drop 5-15 degrees below average on Friday and Saturday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center. Some areas could see highs only in the 30s or 40s and lows plunging into the 20s and 30s. This cold snap, however, is expected to be brief, with temperatures rebounding to above-average levels by next week.