Flood risk increases in New England as a strong storm moves northeast

New York – The powerful storm system that delivered deadly tornadoes across parts of the South on Saturday continues to move across the eastern U.S., with high winds, heavy rain and snow expected to blow through the Northeast through Sunday night and into Monday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, storm impacts will vary by location in the Northeast and New England due to unseasonably warm December temperatures.

Local National Weather Service offices have issued various weather alerts, ranging from high wind warnings to winter storm warnings to flood watches.

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NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) highlighted parts of southern New England to a level 3 of 4 flash flood risk through Sunday night.

That's where forecasters are most confident that rainfall rates will exceed one inch per hour by Sunday evening, which has “raised concern about higher impacts,” the WPC noted late Sunday morning in its discussion of excessive precipitation.

“Prolonged rainfall, coupled with periods of high precipitation can result in 5 to 7 inches of rain and several flash floods,” he added. WPC wrote in a post on Xreferring to the danger zone of level 3 out of 4, which is highlighted in yellow on the map below.

East coast storm timing

Precipitation from a strong storm system will spread eastward Sunday into Monday across the mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England, including the densely populated Interstate 95 corridor.

On Sunday, everyone from the Appalachians to the East Coast will feel the effects of rain, snow or non-thunderstorm winds.

This includes New York City, Philadelphia and Boston, where travel delays are likely to extend from Sunday until the start of the work week.

All the rain is expected to fall on the coast by late Monday, but winds will remain high until Tuesday.

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Multiple weather alerts have been issued for the Northeast

Impacts from a strong storm system will vary by location, with some communities seeing rain change to snow while others see full precipitation.

Computer forecast models show that almost everyone will see the strongest winds, but those along the immediate East Coast are expected to see the highest winds.

Snow is a threat across the Interior Northeast, as cold air will enter the region Sunday night into Monday. Winter storm warnings and winter weather warnings have been issued for parts of New York State, northeastern Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, Vermont and northern New Hampshire. A winter storm watch is also in effect for northern Maine.

Snowfall between 5 and 8 inches is possible at higher elevations in the interior Northeast, with locally higher amounts of a foot or more in Vermont's Green Mountains. The heaviest snowfall rates are expected on Monday morning, which will likely impact the commute to work and school.

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While snow accumulation is expected to remain west and northwest of Interstate 95, wind and rain will likely cause problems from the I-95 corridor to the coast.

Wind and rain will be the main cause of the storm, with more than 50 million people under a flood watch from Virginia to Maine.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, widespread rainfall totals are expected to range between 1 and 3 inches, with locally higher amounts possible in some areas along the coast and in New England.

Nearly three dozen river gauges were near or above flood stage before the storm began to impact the Northeast.

As for winds, they are expected to be between 40 and 50 mph Sunday evening, with gusts likely to reach 60 mph or more along the New England coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Parts of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine are under a high wind warning or wind advisory and face the potential for downed trees and power lines.

In New York City, a wind advisory is in effect only for Brooklyn and Queens. Parts of the five boroughs were previously under a high wind watch for the first time in nearly three years, but that advisory has since been dropped.

The New York City Department of Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Sunday and Monday. New Yorkers were urged to plan extra travel time and use public transportation.

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Widespread impacts from the storm in the Northeast

Sunday through Monday, the biggest impact will be on travelers, power lines and holiday decorations.

In higher elevations in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, several inches of snow will likely reduce visibility and make travel dangerous on rural roads.

Those who don't see snow will deal with strong winds and heavy rain that will create slippery streets.

Boston Logan International Airport and all major airports in the New York City tri-state area will not be immune to the weather. According to the FOX Forecast Center, significant delays could occur at major hubs on Sunday and in the early part of the work week.

Communities experiencing strong winds and downed trees will be vulnerable to power outages.

Fallen branches begin to cause problems when wind speeds reach about 40 mph — weak tropical storm force.

This powerful storm could be the most significant weather system to impact the power grid since Hurricane Lee knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in September.

In addition to weak power lines, winds will likely be strong enough to damage outdoor holiday decorations. Inflatables and Christmas trees can be vulnerable to high winds if improperly secured.

A Christmas tree outside the White House fell in the days before the official lighting ceremony after wind speeds reached just over 40 mph.