Boston, Massachusetts — A brewing nor’easter could bring powerful winds, pounding surf, heavy rain and coastal flooding to communities along the East Coast, with this weekend’s full moon potentially making the flooding threat even more serious.
The timing is particularly concerning because the full moon will reach peak illumination at 12:49 p.m. EDT Saturday, Sept. 26, just as the developing storm is expected to produce some of its strongest effects along the coast.
During a full moon, the gravitational forces of the moon and sun combine to produce higher-than-normal tides. When those elevated tides arrive alongside storm surge and strong onshore winds, coastal water can build rapidly and have less opportunity to drain between high-tide cycles.
Nor’easter Could Pound the East Coast
The developing nor’easter is expected to produce prolonged pounding surf, significant beach erosion, heavy rain and worsening coastal flooding as it tracks northward along the East Coast.
From the Outer Banks through New England, coastal communities could experience repeated flooding during successive high-tide cycles.
Powerful onshore winds can push ocean water into bays, inlets and other low-lying areas, while large waves can worsen erosion and increase the risk of water reaching roads and properties.
The most direct impacts are expected farther north, with New England facing the greatest concern as the storm, storm surge and elevated full-moon tides overlap.
Higher Tides Could Last for Several Days
The flooding threat will not necessarily end once the full moon reaches peak illumination.
The highest tide will not occur at exactly the same time everywhere along the coast. However, tides are expected to remain higher than normal for several days surrounding the full moon, meaning multiple high-tide cycles could contribute to coastal flooding.
Along Virginia Beach and the Virginia coast, the full-moon tides will arrive after the main effects of the nor’easter. In Virginia Beach, the high tide closest to Saturday’s full moon is expected around 7:55 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.4 feet.
That is about 0.6 feet higher than the average high tide of 3.8 feet during the days leading up to the full moon.
Jersey Shore Could See Water Trapped Along the Coast
The combination could also create problems farther north along the Jersey Shore. In Atlantic City, the high tide closest to the full moon is expected around 7:41 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.7 feet.
That is roughly 5 inches higher than the average high tide of 4.3 feet in the days before the full moon.
Repeated high tides could become particularly problematic if water becomes trapped in back bays and sounds. Instead of fully draining before the next high tide, water could accumulate through successive cycles.
That could increase the potential for persistent coastal flooding and water pushing farther inland.
New York Coast Could Face Pounding Surf
The New York City and Long Island coastline could also experience worsening conditions as the nor’easter strengthens.
Long Beach provides an indication of the conditions expected across portions of the region, with pounding surf, beach erosion, coastal flooding, gusty winds and periods of heavy rain possible.
In Long Beach, the high tide closest to the full moon is expected around 8:19 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.6 feet. That would be about 5 inches higher than the average high tide of 4.2 feet in the days leading up to the full moon.
New York City could also experience rough surf, coastal flooding and strong winds as the storm churns offshore.
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New England Faces the Biggest Concern
The situation becomes even more serious across Southern New England as the weekend approaches.
The storm’s close passage could coincide with peak full-moon tides, creating a dangerous combination of 60-plus-mph wind gusts, storm surge and trapped coastal water across Southern New England, Massachusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine.
In Newport, the high tide closest to the full moon is expected around 7:58 a.m. Saturday, reaching approximately 4.1 feet.
The following morning’s high tide, around 8:38 a.m. Sunday, is forecast to reach 4.3 feet, showing how the flooding threat can continue beyond the moment of peak lunar illumination.
Boston Area Could See Coastal Inundation
Boston and surrounding coastal communities could experience some of the storm’s most significant effects.
Gusty northeast winds, heavy rain, pounding surf and beach erosion are possible as the nor’easter strengthens offshore.
Boston Harbor, Cape Cod and the North and South Shores could face an elevated risk of significant coastal inundation and structural flooding. Large swells and dangerous rip currents could also create hazardous conditions along the shoreline.
In Boston, the high tide closest to Saturday’s full moon is expected around 11:34 a.m., reaching approximately 10.2 feet.
That would be about 7 inches higher than the average high tide of 9.6 feet during the days before the full moon.
With the nor’easter approaching at the same time, coastal communities from Virginia to New England could face several rounds of dangerous conditions rather than a single brief period of flooding.
Are you along the East Coast and preparing for the nor’easter and higher-than-normal tides? Share your city and expected conditions in the comments below.
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