Storm Impacts the Northeast Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
A rare May nor’easter swept through the northeast on Thursday, bringing rain to millions just as many are gearing up for the Memorial Day weekend. Oddly enough, it’s not unusual to see such weather shifts this time of year.
This system stems from a low-pressure area with strong winds coming from the Atlantic. There are two distinct low-pressure zones at play—one affecting the interior and another off the Mid-Atlantic coast—leading to quite a bit of chaos.
The interior low-pressure system made its presence felt in western Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, where severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes prompted warnings across the area. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh mentioned they would assess the damage in Butler, Washington, and Allegheny counties following reports of a potential tornado.
Indeed, a tornado has been confirmed in Butler, with video evidence showing it tearing the roof off a structure. Additionally, heavy rains in Pittsburgh caused significant flooding.
As Thursday went on, the intensity of both rain and wind escalated. Fox meteorologist Britta Melwin reported from Smith Point, Long Island, detailing the challenging conditions created by the storm.
“Waves are about 1-3 feet,” she noted, explaining that offshore winds influence the wave shapes. As night approached, she indicated that this was just the beginning as winds began to pick up.
The effects reached New York City by Thursday morning. A video from Brooklyn captured the rain during the morning commute, giving a glimpse of the challenging conditions. The coastal low-pressure system is situated south of Long Island, bringing additional rain expected to intensify into the afternoon.
From the Tri-state area leading to New England, steady and at times heavy rainfall is anticipated. Rainfall totals could range between 1-2 inches, with localized areas expecting even more, especially in elevated terrains and along the northeastern coast.
With flash flooding a possibility, NOAA has issued warnings for parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Winds are another concern, particularly from eastern Long Island to the New England coast.
Gusts may exceed 40 mph, and some areas could see gusts over 55 mph. While these winds may not topple too many trees, major airport delays are likely, especially in Boston.
Wind advisories remain active along much of the New England coast into Friday morning. Strong winds could also present challenges on beaches, with predictions calling for a water rise of 1.5 to 2.5 feet. If this occurs, small coastal flooding may be a concern.
In the higher elevations of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the nor’easter is pulling in enough cold air to produce snow, primarily above 1,500 feet. The heaviest snowfall is expected at elevations exceeding 3,000 feet, particularly on peaks like Mount Washington.
