Nor’easter to bring major coastal flooding; potential for hurricane-force gusts in New England
A strengthening September nor’easter will threaten New England with damaging winds, power outages, heavy rain and coastal hazards this weekend.
Especially along eastern Long Island and the Massachusetts coast, where strong winds will push water toward shore and could damage coastal property.
The full fury of a significant September nor'easter will target New England, where high winds lead to power outages and heavy rain swamps outdoor activities this weekend.
The storm and its effects are occurring through the full moon this weekend, which will raise tide levels and lead to major coastal flooding. Long-duration pounding surf will cause extensive beach erosion from North Carolina to southern Maine. Dangerous rip currents will extend southward to Florida's Atlantic coast.
This image of the western Atlantic and the eastern United States was captured on Saturday morning, Sept. 26, 2026, and shows a large, strengthening nor'easter just off the coast. (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue™ Satellite)
"This storm may be remembered for its destructive coastal flooding and severe beach erosion, especially along eastern Long Island and the Massachusetts coast," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.
Storm to strengthen, hook south of New England this weekend
The nor’easter will affect southeastern New England into Monday night. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are expected through Saturday night across Rhode Island, central and eastern Massachusetts, Connecticut, Long Island, New York, southeastern New Hampshire and the southern Maine coast.
Damaging winds will pose the greatest threat across southeastern New England, with gusts potentially reaching hurricane force and causing tree damage and power outages.
"Many trees still have their leaves, which catch more wind and place additional strain on their roots, further increasing the risk for trees to come down and may also increase the number of power outages as compared to similar storms," Porter said.
Rain last week left the soil soggy, increasing the risk that strong winds will uproot trees, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said.
Falling trees could damage power lines and cause widespread outages.
As the storm approaches New England, strengthening east-northeast winds will push Atlantic water toward shore. Water will pile up in Cape Cod Bay and other bays, sounds, harbors and inlets from Long Island to Maine, flooding low-lying coastal areas.
Major coastal flooding is likely along the northern shore of Long Island, as well as the southeastern part of Long Island and much of the east coast of Massachusetts.
The storm will draw moisture northward from the subtropical Atlantic, fueling heavy rain across southeastern New England.
Periods of heavy rain across southeastern New England through the weekend could flood streets and small streams, disrupt travel and force changes to outdoor plans.
Rainfall will generally total 1-2 inches from eastern Maryland to coastal Maine, with heavier amounts across parts of southeastern New England. Totals of 4-8 inches are forecast from central Massachusetts to Cape Cod, and into far eastern Long Island. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ rainfall is 13 inches.
Improvement coming for lower portion of mid-Atlantic this weekend
Dry air from the Northeast's interior will sweep southward in the mid-Atlantic later this week.
As winds turn more northerly to northwesterly this weekend, coastal water levels should gradually fall across Virginia, progressing to Delmarva. Localized flooding may persist along some back bays, where winds can keep water piled against the shoreline.
Tropical development possible near New England and elsewhere in Atlantic
"Given that the developing nor'easter will be slowly moving over the very warm water of the Gulf Stream for two or three days, the storm may take on some characteristics that would resemble a tropical storm. Such hybrid storms are called subtropical storms," Porter said. "Regardless of classification, the storm will be impactful, especially for coastal areas." Hanna is the next name on the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season list.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo has formed and will move north of the Cabo Verde Islands during the rest of the weekend.
Fay has regenerated into a tropical storm over the central Atlantic but is not expected to affect land.
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