Strong wind gusts and heavy rain are expected this week due to storms that are predicted to impact major U.S. cities along the mid-Atlantic coast Tuesday through Friday.
Significant erosion is possible in Virginia Beach, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
Many locations along the coast in Virginia are expected to reach moderate flood stage, according to an alert from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Some regions may reach major flood stage, according to VDEM, with the worst flooding expected with Wednesday morning’s high tide and peaking Thursday.
Coastal flooding is a combination of rainfall, tides, wave action and strong winds pushing ocean water onto land, known as storm surge. AccuWeather experts anticipate major coastal flooding around the lower Chesapeake Bay, including Norfolk.
“This storm may be capable of producing tropical-storm-force wind gusts later this week, but is not expected to organize into an official tropical entity at this time,” said AccuWeather expert meteorologist Alyssa Glenny. “Regardless of classification, rain, wind and coastal impacts would remain relatively the same, although there could be a localized swath of stronger wind gusts near the center of the storm’s circulation.”
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There is also potential for flash flooding throughout Virginia including the Shenandoah Valley, Central Virginia and Winchester, according to AccuWeather, which issued an alert for severe weather via its app for most of Virginia starting early Tuesday morning through Thursday afternoon.
Southeastern Virginia should prepare now as it may be among areas hardest hit by the storm with heavy rain expected. Major travel disruptions are also possible if a full-blown nor’easter develops, according to AccuWeather.
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Crystal Graham
