Guide

Right outsideWeather

Nor'easters: named for the wind, not the path

September to April

A nor'easter is a coastal storm common from September through April, named for the strong wind that typically blows from the northeast over the coast as the storm approaches New England. That wind runs close to opposite the storm's own track, since the storm's center usually moves up the coast toward the northeast from south of New England.

Why this time of year

From September through April, cold air from Canada meeting the warm Atlantic along the coast makes nor'easters most likely, and they are most severe in winter.

How to notice it

  1. When a storm hits, look at a flag, chimney smoke, or the treetops and see which way they lean.
  2. Face into the wind: along the coast a nor'easter's strongest winds typically come from the northeast; check the forecast to confirm the storm is a nor'easter.
  3. Pull up a weather map and find the storm's center, usually south or southwest of New England and sliding northeastward up the coast.

Try this with kids: The wind is blowing at you from the northeast, but which way do you think the storm itself is traveling?

Gulf Stream: the warm ocean current running up the Atlantic coast

Safety

  • Nor'easters can bring gale force winds, power outages and, near the coast, flooding, per the National Weather Service.

Sources

  • weather.govNWS: defines nor'easters, named for the northeast winds; storms progress northeastward up the coast with peak intensity near New England; most frequent September to April; hazards include gale force winds, cut power and coastal flooding.
  • nesdis.noaa.govNOAA NESDIS SciJinks: named for the northeast wind; form within 100 miles of the coast between New Jersey and Georgia; most common September through April; travel up the East Coast.
  • acs.evsc.virginia.eduUniversity of Virginia: storms track north or northeastward after forming, peak near New England and the Maritimes, most frequent September to April (the page also gives a narrower December to April figure elsewhere).

Checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.

In the guide for September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April

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