Nor’easters

By Katelin Kukk  

It’s that time of year- bundling up, preparing for snowstorms and staying indoors! Currently, the East Coast is experiencing what is called a nor’easter, a storm that brings strong winds from the Northeast over coastal areas. These storms can occur at any time during the year but are most powerful from September to April. They develop when cold Arctic air clashes with warm, moist air over the ocean and intensify when they head towards land.

While many confuse a nor’easter with a blizzard because of similar weather patterns there is an important difference. A nor’easter is a particular kind of storm system, while a blizzard describes a set of weather conditions rather than a storm type. What defines a nor’easter is not how much snow it brings, but its location and wind pattern. This is why a single storm can be a nor’easter and blizzard at the same time. Some famous nor’easters include the blizzard of 1888, the March 1993 “Superstorm”, and the one that just occurred in February 2026. In addition to snow, these storms can also cause heavy rain, wind, and coastal flooding.

 The East Coast provides ideal conditions for nor’easters to form. During winter, the collision of the polar jet stream traveling southward and warm air from the gulf of America moving northward is the fuel that strengthens Nor’easters. If a nor’easter threatens your area, it is always crucial to be prepared. Stay off the roads when possible, have enough food and water for at least 3 days, and make you have all essentials like candles, flashlights, and other emergency supplies. Look online for additional ways to prepare and protect you and your family.

Stay Safe!