Monster Nor'easter forecast for Sunday...

[phantom power]

Actually, it sounds like this thing may have it's way with the entire continental US. Westcoast to East.

A major spring Nor'easter with the capability of causing damage equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane may develop Sunday off the U.S. East Coast. A storm system currently crossing the Pacific coast near British Columbia is expected to dive southeastward across the U.S., possibly triggering a significant severe weather outbreak over Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas on Friday. The storm will emerge into the Atlantic on Sunday near the Virginia Coast and rapidly intensify. By Monday morning, the GFS model is forecasting a 975 mb low pressure system just off the New Jersey coast, with 50-60 mph easterly winds over Long Island Sound and the waters just south of Long Island. The 00Z UKMET model forecasts an even more intense system, similar in strength to a Category 1 hurricane. Other reliable models are less gung-ho. The European model has the storm bottoming out at a pressure of 985 mb, and the NOGAPS model, 982 mb.

However, of great concern is the fact that most of the models forecast a very slow moving system that will weaken only gradually, battering the coast for at least three days. This will allow a long period of time for the tropical-storm force winds over the water to pile up high storm surges in Long Island Sound and along the entire Northeast coast from New Jersey to Maine. Combine this with the arrival of one of the highest tides of the year Monday night--the Spring Tide, which occurs at the time of the new moon in April--and we have the potential for a very serious flooding event. If the worst case scenarios of the models come true, the Tax Day Storm of 2007 could cause extensive moderate to severe coastal flooding, costing hundreds of millions of dollars. The areas at highest risk appear to be New Jersey, New York (especially New York City), Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Heavy snow is not expected along the coast, but heavy rains may cause flooding problems. As usual, there is considerable uncertainty about the exact track and intensity of the storm, and we'll have a better idea Friday what might be in store for New England. However, I believe there is a greater than 50% chance that this Nor'easter will be strong enough to cause significant storm surge flooding along the New England coast. Damages of at least $100 million are likely.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=650&tstamp=200704

[AX10]

1. It looks like rain in southern CT. It's better than snow for me.

[uppityperson]

2. ewwww, kick. Did you put this elsewhere on DU too?

[Bobbieo]

5. SW Arizona is going through March winds but no April showers.

Very strange weather for our part of the country. Usually it is almost 100 degrees by now - only the low 80s. It is confortable but very scary.

[phantom power]

8. It's 66F here in Phoenix. Some big front just blew through.

Almost a dust storm.

[HockeyMom]

3. Wonderful

I work the Midnight to 8 AM shift at a Group Home on the LI Sound - ALL BY MYSELF. I guess I had better get out those Emergency Numbers and keep my cell phone charged.

[HereSince1628]

4. As long as it goes waaaaaaaaaaay south. I've had enough snow this week

2 snows in April isn't all that uncommon SE Wisconsin, but damn no one wants them within days of each other.

[kestrel91316]

6. Very windy, cool, scattered clouds now in Los Angeles, but I don't

expect a drop of rain. We are in the driest year on record - only 2.5" since the season started in July '06.

[mikelgb]

7. very sudden strong winds here on Southern CA

Fullerton - Orange County

[freethought]

9. Near blizzard conditions right now here in Maine!

WTF!! And we're coming into mid April! And maybe we'll have to deal with another Sunday?

Yeeeks! Gettin' a little tired of this s__t!

[modrepub]

10. Argh!

Unless your in northern NE I wouldn't worry too much. It's early and forecast models can still adjust the track. Let the run on TP and bread begin.....