A rapidly intensifying nor'easter is set to slam the East Coast this weekend, with the Carolinas, Virginia, and Mid-Atlantic states in the primary threat zone for heavy snow, high winds, and coastal flooding as the storm "bombs out" over the Atlantic. The National Weather Service has already issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Cape Cod in Massachusetts, warning of moderate flooding around high tide from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon, while up to a foot of snow and 70 mph gusts could bring blizzard conditions to southeast Massachusetts.
The storm will bring significant snow to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (3 to 5 inches possible, one of the biggest events on record there), and Charlotte, North Carolina (also 3 to 5 inches, the heaviest since 2022). Parts of North Carolina haven't seen even an inch of snow in over a decade, but forecast models show 5 to 12 inches across much of the state by Sunday. Colder air pushing into Florida could produce snow flurries along the coast (10–20% chance late Saturday night into Sunday morning from the Panhandle to Fort Myers-Naples), though accumulation is unlikely.
The I-95 corridor from New York through Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will largely miss the heaviest snow, with less than an inch expected in those cities. The worst impacts shift to Cape Cod, where up to a foot of snow and dangerously strong winds (up to 70 mph) could create whiteout conditions and blizzard-like weather on Sunday as the storm rapidly deepens over the Atlantic.
Roughly 75 million Americans across 16 states are in the storm's path, with snow beginning Friday in the Appalachians and hazardous travel expected along the coast. Power outages are possible in the Carolinas due to heavy, wet snow and wind. Major U.S. airlines have issued travel waivers for affected routes to allow fee-free rebooking amid anticipated delays and cancellations.
The storm highlights ongoing winter vulnerability along the East Coast, where even rare snow events can paralyze infrastructure and strand travelers. Forecasters urge residents to prepare for slick roads, limited visibility, and potential flooding in low-lying coastal areas. As the nor'easter bombs out, the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic face the brunt of the impacts, while the Northeast dodges the worst of the heavy snow. Stay weather-aware this weekend.
