Can Saturday's full moon make this weekend's potential nor'easter more dangerous
With a potential nor'easter churning offshore, coastal communities are on alert for strong northeasterly winds and chilly rain.
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The tri-state area is bracing for rough fall weather. A developing coastal storm is tracking toward our shores this weekend, and a celestial event could turn a windy forecast into a major coastal flooding threat.
With a potential nor'easter churning offshore, coastal communities are on alert for strong northeasterly winds and chilly rain. We can track two scenarios. Weather models remain split on the storm's exact track - the European model pushes the system closer to our region, while the American model keeps it offshore, bringing only light rain and breezy conditions on Saturday. The track, timing, and specific impacts will likely shift over the coming days.
Regardless of how close the storm gets, expect a windy weekend with high rip current risks, beach erosion, and coastal flooding driven by the full moon and strong northeast winds. Stay tuned to News 12 as we refine the forecast.
RELATED: Tracking a late-week nor'easter and whether or not local impacts will be significant
But the biggest concern is rising from the ocean. This Saturday brings a full moon, which naturally creates much higher astronomical tides.
When you combine the gravitational pull of the full moon with days of relentless onshore winds from this approaching storm, it creates a dangerous bottleneck. The strong northeast winds act like a wall.
With water stacking up with each consecutive high-tide cycle, tides could run one to three feet above normal. Expect moderate to severe coastal flooding, significant beach erosion, and dangerous rip currents from the Long Island and Connecticut coastlines.
If you live in an area prone to nuisance saltwater flooding, now is the time to take precautions and move your vehicles to higher ground.
