What Is a Nor’easter?

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Storm problems in Dover,NJ

A severe storm that travels up the Northeastern coast of the United States is referred to as a Nor'easter. These storms can cause flooding due to heavy rain and storm surges or snow. Find out what these storms involve and other Nor'easter facts to help you prepare for adverse weather in Dover, NJ.

What Causes Nor'easters?

Several factors cause Nor'easters:

• Cold air traveling southward from Canada on the polar jet stream
• Warm air moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
• The Gulf Stream current warming coastal Atlantic waters and air above the water

The combination of warm air over water and cold air over land is a recipe for strong storms. Although Nor'easters often develop during the winter, these storms can occur at any time of year.

What Do Nor'easters Involve?

These storms have several defining characteristics:

• Low-pressure fronts
• Strong winds
• Blow in off the Atlantic Ocean
• Originate as a cyclone in the Midwest
• Move northeastward up the coast
• Often cause rain, snow, or flooding

A classic or Miller Type-A Nor'easter is a storm that develops along the Gulf Coast or East Coast. A Miller Type-B storm originates in the Midwest.

Which Areas Experience Nor'easters?

Nor'easters tend to batter the eastern coast of the United States. These storms have a characteristic pattern:

• Nor'easters form within 100 miles east or west of the East Coast
• Storms tend to develop between Georgia and New Jersey
• Storms reach maximum intensity near New England or the Maritime Provinces of Canada

Nor'easters can cause severe weather throughout the populous Interstate 95 Northeast corridor of coastal cities from Washington D.C. up through Philadelphia to New York City and Boston. Plan for inclement weather and a potential loss of power if a Nor'easter is headed your way. Contact residential storm damage restoration experts if one of these storms strikes your home in Dover, NJ.