A powerful storm system is expected to bring flooding rain and high winds to the US Northeast this weekend, threatening travel disruptions, power outages, and coastal flooding from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, multiple news outlets reported on Tuesday.
Forecast models differ on the storm's precise track, but areas from coastal New Jersey and Long Island to Massachusetts could see significant rainfall and strong winds as the system develops off the East Coast on Friday, the National Weather Service said.
The Boston area and Cape Cod could receive as much as 7 inches, or 18 centimeters, of rain through the weekend, the news reports warned, adding that a more westward track increases the threat to the New York City metropolitan area.
The storm could disrupt ground and air travel across the region, with effects potentially cascading into other parts of the country. Heavy rainfall also raises the risk of flooding, while strong winds could trigger widespread power outages.
Coastal warnings and watches were already in effect along parts of the East Coast from Massachusetts to Virginia as the storm system takes shape. Higher-than-normal tides are expected along New Jersey's southern shore, while dangerous rip currents could affect beaches from Long Island to Boston, Bloomberg reported.