Nor'easter poised to lash East Coast with heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding
A powerful nor'easter is expected to bring significant rain, wind gusts of up to 50 mph, and coastal flooding to the Eastern Seaboard this weekend into early next week.
October 11, 2025 - 06:03 PM ET • 2 min read
A potent nor'easter is set to sweep along the East Coast this weekend, bringing with it the threat of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding, with meteorologists warning of its potential impact from the Carolinas to the Northeast.
The storm system is expected to intensify as it moves northward along the Carolina coast, drawing in moisture and generating significant weather across a wide swath of the region. Wind gusts are projected to reach 30 to 50 mph along coastal areas, with inland sections likely to experience less intense winds of around 20 to 30 mph. Rainfall totals could be substantial, particularly along coastal North Carolina, where 3 to 5 inches of rain are possible.
This type of storm, known as a nor'easter for its characteristic northeasterly winds, typically brings heavy snow to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during winter months. However, any weather disturbance following a similar track can produce heavy precipitation and strong winds, which is the forecast for the coming days.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are bracing for their third significant storm of the season. This area has recently experienced severe weather, with rough surf and large waves causing eight homes to collapse into the Atlantic Ocean just two weeks prior. A beach house in Rodanthe, Dare County, toppled into the surf on Friday.
In anticipation of the disruptive weather, major airlines have begun waiving flight change fees and fare differences for travel through Sunday and Monday evening at more than a dozen airports across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways are offering flexible rebooking options for affected passengers. As of Saturday afternoon, flight delays and cancellations were minimal, according to FlightAware.
The National Weather Service has issued flood and high-wind advisories for much of the affected region, warning residents to prepare for hazardous conditions.
The storm is forecast to begin moving eastward away from the coast by Tuesday, at which point the heavy rain and gusty winds are expected to subside.