Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Hurricane-like Nor'easter may form Sunday
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 02:34 PM GMT on April 12, 2007 +3
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--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.


Figure 1. Forecast from the GFS model for 2am EDT Monday April 16, showing a major Nor'easter off the coast of New England.

My lecture in the Tampa Bay area--location change
I'll be giving a public lecture on Friday, April 13, at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The title of the talk will be, "A Preview of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season--and the Story of a Flight into Hurricane Hugo." The room for the lecture has been changed to Miller Hall (it was Fox Hall). The details:

Friday April 13, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Miller Hall
Eckerd College
4200 54th Avenue S
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Event information: http://www.eckerd.edu/events

Here's a map of where Eckerd College is, and a map of campus. I hope to see some of you there! I'll have time after the talk to chat. You can email me at jmasters@wunderground.com if you have comments about my appearance.

Tune into the East Coast Winter Weather blog Friday for an update on the 2007 Tax Day Storm. I won't be writing a blog on the storm Friday, but one of the other wunderground meteorologists will. I'll blog on the storm Saturday and/or Sunday if it appears to be a major threat.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Winter Weather
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101. jtrain16 09:24 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
This is EXACTLY what I wanted to see. I'm moving to CT on Sunday... driving from Chicago... and renting an Apt 200 ft from the Sound. Anyone have one of those fancy Storm surge maps that shows what kind of surge will flood a given distance inland?
102. weatherguy03 09:26 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
LOL. Not on April 15th. Its time for Spring. Actually, I grew up with that stuff, I dont miss it at all.
Member Since: Juli 5, 2005 Posts: 581 Comments: 29680
103. StormJunkie 09:28 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
All right 03...Geuss growing up here I just can never get enough of the stuff...

:)
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
104. hurricane23 10:09 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
CMC model has this hurricane like event moving onshore then meandering offshore before finally moving out to sea.

Here a shot from the Canadian model.


Member Since: Maj 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13276
105. Patrap 10:25 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Wunderground Now has new look to the SEVERE page link......here Link
Member Since: Juli 3, 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111436
106. ForMyFriends3 11:21 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
I will definitly be on the south coast of MA when this thing is at its' height. Probably Hyannis. And you can bet I'll have my camera!
107. nash28 11:31 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Hey all. Been a while since I have been on. Been very busy and NOW I see that Dr. Masters is going to be in my neck of the woods on the day I have to play taxi cab and pick up about 20 family members at Orlando International Airport for a surprise 60th birthday/family reunion for my father.

CRAP!!!!!!
Member Since: Juli 11, 2005 Posts: 190 Comments: 16972
109. hurricane23 11:44 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Here are a few more models...

MRF Model.



ECMWF-Model



GFS Vorticy Model



Member Since: Maj 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13276
110. stormchasher 11:45 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Thats gonna be right over me!!!!!
Member Since: Juli 30, 2006 Posts: 40 Comments: 1295
112. stormchasher 11:47 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
yeah but im gonna get 40+ winds with torrential down poors!!!! rather have the snow!!
Member Since: Juli 30, 2006 Posts: 40 Comments: 1295
113. stormchasher 11:48 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
I just bought Accuweather Professional and all the models got something big and ugly right over me!!!
Member Since: Juli 30, 2006 Posts: 40 Comments: 1295
115. philliesrock 11:49 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
The cold air looks like it will be in place for me when the storm hits. That will mean lots and lots and lots of snow in Allentown!
Member Since: Juni 29, 2006 Posts: 65 Comments: 3197
116. hurricane23 11:51 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Great purchase stormchaser ive had that package before.Great tool for hurricane season.

For More models visit-Adrian's Weather
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117. stormchasher 11:54 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
yeah i like it alot 23! but its a little on the expensive side because im not gonna be using it alot.
Member Since: Juli 30, 2006 Posts: 40 Comments: 1295
118. Skyepony (Mod) 11:57 PM GMT on April 12, 2007    
Surface height forecast


that's meters
click to enlarge
Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29327
119. StormJunkie 12:01 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Cool map Skye. Amazing that the Gulf Stream is that much different from the water around it. Canadian shoreline looks like it is going to get pretty beat...
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
121. weatherguy03 12:05 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
St. Simons, we did that already, please dont wish it again upon us!!..LOL Not gonna be as cold for us with this one thankfully, but we could get close to records again Monday morning.
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122. hurricane23 12:18 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
One more view...


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124. weathergeek5 12:30 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
The weather channel said winds near hurricane force for mass.
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125. Patrap 12:30 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
SLOSH animation..HUGO..Link
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126. Patrap 12:32 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
SLOSH improved enhancements..Link
Member Since: Juli 3, 2005 Posts: 371 Comments: 111436
127. StormJunkie 12:35 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Neat Pat. Can not believe it pushed 4 to 6 feet of water all the way up the Ashley River. That is the river just on the left side of Charleston Harbor.
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
129. Patrap 12:39 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
More SLOSH data...TAMPA..Link
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131. aquak9 12:46 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
DO NOT

I repeat DO NOT

post my area for SLOSH...I have enough nightmares as it is.
Member Since: August 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25007
132. mobal 12:53 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Looks like possible Tropical storm force winds, may gust over that, be careful Yanks.
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133. pottery 01:25 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
SO !! You guys up in the North there are hogging the weather ??????
What about us poor tropical beings ? All we seem to be getting is hotter and dryer.
Send some weather South, we would appreciate that muchly.......
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708
134. weathergeek5 01:30 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
I am afraid you will be getting the rain in the summer and fall....
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135. pottery 01:31 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Where is everybody ?
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708
136. pottery 01:34 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Hello, weathergeek5,. True, but in the meantime we are running out of water here........
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137. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 01:34 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
triple point low will drop to 96.5 in less than 12 hr period on sun will genrate hurricane force southly flow open water near hurricane force ene flow along shoreline this will also cause a more nnw flow to set up to cause below norm temp for eastern half of north america for the remainer of the month of april
Member Since: Juli 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40520
138. HurricaneKing 01:35 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
What was the 1975 blowout event?

SOUTHWARD....THE DEEP STORM WILL BRING STRONG OFFSHORE W-NW WINDS
SUNDAY NIGHT THRU MON AND CONTG TUESDAY AND KEEPING UP NW FLOW
POSSIBLY INTO THURSDAY IN THE MID ATLC REGION. PROLONGED OFFSHORE
FLOW LIABLE TO BRING WELL BELOW NORMAL TIDES CHES BAY/DEL BAY WITH
A THREAT OF SOME SOUNDSIDE TIDAL FLOODING NC OUTER BANKS. THIS
EVENT HAS SIMILARITY TO EARLY APRIL 1975 BLOWOUT EVENT. THIS
AFFECTING SHIPPING IN DEL/CHES BAY HARBORS. A HIGH CONFIDENCE
FORECAST. POTENTIALLY HISTORIC EVENT.
Member Since: Juli 6, 2005 Posts: 71 Comments: 2430
139. weathergeek5 01:36 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
How long have you been dry? when did this weather pattern set in? I have been busy with school and work so i don't have time to look into weather as much as I like. BUT with this storm I will take the time to research it.
Member Since: December 25, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 1721
140. pottery 01:40 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Our rainy season starts in June, and runs to December ( generally ).
I'm at 11 n 61 w, so when the ITCZ gets here we get loads of rain. And although we are too far south for major storms, we do get tropical storms crossing us, and occasionaly feeder bands from storms (like IVAN ), that dumped loads of rain here.
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708
141. BahaHurican 01:44 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
G'nite, all.

We had a pretty heavy downpour around 5 p. m. today, with the first serious thunderstorm we've had since late last year. While winter is usually our dry season, we usually don't have 10 consecutive weeks without any rain at all, as we did through Feb and March. So far April has been much nicer, with at least 4 rainy days so far. The combination of last night's and this afternoon's heavy showers has roads and yards flooded throughout New Providence.
Member Since: Oktober 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17645
142. StormJunkie 01:44 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Evening Pottery, keeper, geek and ohters.

So keeper, you think this will help cool down the SSTs along the SE coast?
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
143. hurricane23 01:47 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
SST'S are only a small portion of what a tropical system needs to flurish.2006 clearly showed that.If atmospheric conditions dont favor development nothing will develope.
Member Since: Maj 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13276
144. pottery 01:48 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Hi Baha, Storm.........
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708
145. pottery 01:50 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Hi 23.

Whats the forecast for the SAL for the season.? do we know ?
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708
146. edhanna 01:52 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Phillies,
I'm checking all the forecasts from WFMZ to TWC to the NWS and all say rain on Sunday :(
I'm with you thinking we'll have more cold air in place that anticipated and we should get a healthy amount of snow :)
147. StormJunkie 01:53 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Correct 23, now who said they were the only thing that mattered? We will have to learn them huh?
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
148. StormJunkie 01:54 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Not sure pottery. I have been wondering, just been waiting a little longer to dig in to it. Figure in another two or three weeks I will be looking a little closer...
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
149. pottery 01:57 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
OK Storm......
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150. StormJunkie 02:00 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
Right now it looks fairly weak pottery.

SAL map
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
151. pottery 02:01 AM GMT on April 13, 2007    
My feeling is that we will have a repeat of last years dry air over the trop atlantic. Cant see any reason why it should change. So I dont see much development east of about 60 w. Would expect lots of GOM storms as a result.
Member Since: Oktober 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

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About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

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