Monster March Storm To Pound Northeast

A monster-sized storm will bring many hazards to the northeast from tonight into Saturday. Image: Weatherboy

A monster March storm is forecast to pound the northeast with record-breaking coastal flooding, heavy precipitation, and destructive winds. People from Maryland to Maine are being told to prepare for impact and to take necessary steps to protect life and property ahead of the storm.

As a surface low in the central plains this morning moves through the Ohio Valley into Pennsylvania tonight, a second low in the Southeast will progress northeast off the Mid-Atlantic coast. The Pennsylvania low will weaken as the coastal storm stalls and intensifies rapidly Friday and Friday night. It is the rapidly intensifying low pressure system that will become the Monster March Storm. Over time, the low will move out to sea over the weekend as high pressure noses southward into the eastern US.

Powerful wind gusts will extend far inland, producing power interruptions throughout a large part of the east coast. Image: NWS

Heavy rains, some amounts near or just over 3", could create flood conditions in the northeast. Image: NWS — Heavy rains, some amounts near or just over 3″, could create flood conditions in the northeast. Image: NWS

A heavy wet snow is expected to fall inland, with some areas receiving well over a foot of snow. Wet snow flakes may fly as far south as Maryland and Delaware, including eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. However, most accumulating snow should remain north and west of the I-95 corridor. Image: NWS

Massive waves will form in hurricane-force winds over the Atlantic; while 50-60'+ waves will remain over open waters, very rough, dangerous surf will pound the entire east coast, producing coastal flooding and beach erosion problems. Image: NWS — Massive waves will form in hurricane-force winds over the Atlantic; while 50-60’+ waves will remain over open waters, very rough, dangerous surf will pound the entire east coast, producing coastal flooding and beach erosion problems. Image: NWS

A slew of watches and warnings have been posted by the National Weather Service ahead of the Monster March Storm. Image: Weatherboy.com

The storm system’s worst impact may be the coastal storm flooding threat. In places like Boston, MA and Atlantic City, NJ, coastal flooding may meet or exceed historic maximums. Residents in coastal flood prone areas should prepare to head to higher, inland ground before conditions deteriorate.

While people will be able to recover on Sunday from the impacts of the storm, that recovery time will be brief. It appears at least one, and perhaps two, additional storms will impact the northeast next week. Those additional storms may have more cold air to work with, resulting in more snow than rain than this Monster March storm has.