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East Coast Faces Storm Risks: Tropical or Not
20 Oct
Summary
- A nor'easter off North Carolina may develop tropical features.
- High winds and coastal flooding are expected regardless of storm type.
- Nor'easters gain energy from temperature contrasts over warm waters.
A potent nor'easter located off the North Carolina coast is being monitored for the potential to develop into a tropical or subtropical storm. This system, currently designated Invest 93L, could gain organized thunderstorms and shed its non-tropical features as it interacts with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
Forecasters have assigned a 40% probability for the storm to acquire tropical or subtropical characteristics within the next 48 hours and over the next seven days. Regardless of its final classification, the storm is predicted to produce significant impacts including high winds, coastal flooding, and hazardous surf conditions along portions of the East Coast in the coming days.
Nor'easters are characterized by their formation along the East Coast and are fueled by the stark temperature contrast between cold continental air and warmer Atlantic waters, particularly enhanced by the Gulf Stream. They typically bring heavy precipitation and strong winds. While distinct from hurricanes, which draw energy solely from warm ocean water, nor'easters can adopt tropical features if they move over warm waters and develop organized convection near their center, potentially becoming a named storm like Josephine.
