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Nor'easter Roars: Coastal Carolinas to Mid-Atlantic Brace for Fury
17 Oct
Summary
- Strong winds up to 60 mph possible for Outer Banks by Sunday.
- Coastal flooding may reach moderate levels, especially near VA-NC border.
- Storm could linger up to a week, potentially becoming a hybrid system.
A significant nor'easter is forming off the North Carolina coast and is expected to persist well into next week, bringing persistent wind and coastal flood threats. Beginning Saturday afternoon, strong winds will increase, with gusts reaching 30-40 mph across the Chesapeake Bay and eastern North Carolina, and up to 50 mph on the Outer Banks. These winds could cause downed trees and power outages.
By Sunday, as the storm fully develops, wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible for the Outer Banks, with similar speeds reaching inland areas of North Carolina and coastal Virginia and Maryland. Coastal flooding is also anticipated to begin as early as Sunday morning's high tide, potentially escalating to moderate levels by Sunday afternoon, especially near the Virginia-North Carolina border. These conditions are expected to continue through midweek.
The storm's prolonged presence is due to its slow movement, potentially lingering for up to a week. While not expected to be a tropical system, there's a small chance it could become a hybrid storm if it remains over warm ocean waters. This extended period of rough seas and strong waves could exacerbate ongoing beach erosion, particularly in vulnerable areas like the Outer Banks.
