Science1 publisher2 min readPublished Updated
Unusually strong nor'easter threatens more than 40 million people in the US Northeast
More than 40 million people in the US Northeast are bracing for an unusually strong nor'easter, with gusts over 60 mph and up to 13 cm of rain forecast. Airlines and event organisers have already changed plans. Warnings about damaged power lines mean operators should plan for outages this weekend.
The Scientist · Science desk
What happened
- JetBlue, United and American issued travel alerts that let passengers change flights without paying fees.
- Ed Sheeran's weekend concerts near Boston were cancelled, along with outdoor festivals in New York and Maryland.
- Updated forecasts moved the storm closer to New York City than first predicted.
Compiled by The ScientistSomething wrong?How this is made
Why it matters
- decision Firms with staff flying in the region this weekend can move trips before the storm without fees on three major carriers, so rebooking early costs them nothing.
- exposure Sites that rely on overhead power lines should plan for outages, because the authorities' own warnings list downed trees and damaged lines among the hazards.
- exposure Waterfront sites in the five coastal states that flooded this week face a second round within days, since the Weather Service expects the storm to bring coastal flooding.
The 40 million figure counts everyone inside the storm's reach, whether or not they lose power or a flight [1]. The details that matter for planning are narrower. Gusts could top 60 mph along the East Coast [3]. The 13 centimetres of rain is the top of the forecast, for areas of Massachusetts including Boston, where it would be more than a normal month's rainfall [11].
"Strong nor'easter off the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will bring coastal flooding, rip currents, strong wind gusts, and heavy rain to the region this weekend," the National Weather Service said on its website [12]. Nor'easters are named for their northeasterly winds. They can form in any month but are more frequent between fall and early spring [14]. They almost always bring heavy rain or snow along with strong gusts [14]. AFP's report calls this one unusually powerful for the season [1].
The track has also moved. Updated forecasts showed the storm shifting closer to New York City than first predicted, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani told residents to "look out for your neighbors" [8]. On X he gave more detail. "If you're traveling this weekend, give yourself extra time. Check your train, ferry, or flight before you leave, and avoid low-lying coastal roads around high tide," Mamdani said [9].
The Federal Aviation Administration pointed passengers to its website and told AFP there is "always a chance for restrictions depending on the weather" [6]. The United Nations has world leaders in New York for the General Assembly this week. It asked media outlets to clear broadcasting equipment from outside its headquarters because of the wind [10].
The forecast gives no estimate of how many homes and businesses will lose power. In my view, the region's own record this year is reason enough to plan for outages. An earlier nor'easter disrupted hundreds of flights and left thousands of homes and businesses without power [15]. It hit weeks after the region had recovered from a winter system linked to more than 100 deaths [16].
What to watch
- Later National Weather Service forecasts for New York City, since the storm's track has already moved closer to the city than first predicted.
- Whether the FAA imposes flight restrictions at Northeast airports once the storm arrives.
- Utility outage counts in Massachusetts and coastal New York over the weekend, set against the thousands left without power by this year's earlier nor'easter.