Low pressure is going to take shape off the Mid-Atlantic coast on Sunday and rapidly deepen into a very strong storm center as it lifts northeastward – eventually passing southeast of the Cape Monday afternoon and evening. This weather system will bring a variety of weather hazards to the area – a classic powerhouse nor’easter.
Snow: flurries will develop Sunday evening and quickly become a steady and then heavy snow overnight. Snow will continue throughout the day on Monday (precip may become intermittent for a time and/or mix with some rain) and linger into Monday evening before tapering down Monday night. Snowfall totals of a foot will be common around the Cape, with higher totals certainly possible. Depending upon the exact evolution of the storm, totals closer to 2 feet are possible!
Wind: Winds will strengthen Sunday evening and evolve into powerful northeast winds by Monday morning. Gusts in excess of 60 mph will be common around the area and some spots will gust over 70 mph. High winds will result in near blizzard conditions. To make matters worse, temperatures hovering in the lower and middle 30s through the first half of the event suggest a heavy, wet snow. That, combined with northeast wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph raises concerns for tree damage and power outages as snow loads onto branches and power lines.
Coastal Flooding: In addition to heavy snow and powerful winds, the very deep low pressure center and strong onshore wind means significant beach erosion and times of coastal flooding during high tide cycles Sunday Night, Monday and Monday night. Thankfully, tide levels are not at their highest… but historically these type of events yield widespread moderate coastal flooding with pockets of major coastal flooding possible as well as substantial, beach-altering erosion.
Conditions should gradually improve late Monday night as the storm pulls away, though strong winds and blowing snow may linger into early Tuesday.
Bottom line: expect a high-impact storm for our area. Charge up those cell phones and don’t plan to travel on Monday.