Nor'Easter To Lash Parts Of VA With Rain, Strong Winds: Latest Forecast

A powerful tropical wind and rainstorm is developing off the U.S. East Coast and could bring heavy rain, coastal flooding, erosive surf and dangerous winds to parts of Virginia in the coming days.

The slow-moving storm is expected to form off the Georgia coast late this week before moving northward from the Carolinas to New England through early next week, according to a new AccuWeather forecast. The system is expected to strengthen each day and could evolve into a named subtropical storm.

For many parts of the East Coast, this will be the most significant storm so far this hurricane season, despite not currently being designated as a tropical development risk by the National Hurricane Center, AccuWeather forecasters said.

“Confidence continues to increase that a tropical wind and rainstorm will soak parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast later this week and through the weekend," said AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva. "Parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast could see several inches of rain, gusty winds, significant beach erosion and prolonged coastal flooding, regardless of tropical development."

The storm is expected to first materialize between Florida and the Bahamas late Friday night. By Saturday night, the system will move northward and bring wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph to the coastlines of Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula, according to Washington Post forecasters.

"It remains unclear whether the storm will from there nudge back westward, bringing nasty weather closer to Interstate 95," forecasters wrote. "For now, it looks like the worst weather will target coastal areas, though major cities — like New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. — will still be plenty stormy."

According to AccuWeather, Virginia's Eastern Shore and the Delmarva Peninsula could see 2-4 inches of rainfall and wind gusts between 40-60 mph. Farther inland, rainfall totals drop to 1-2 inches, but gusty winds are still expected.

Total rainfall in the D.C. and Baltimore areas will walk a tightrope, Post forecasters wrote.

"Several inches are likely east of the nation’s capital, but to the west, sinking air on the periphery of the storm system may limit rainfall totals to barely a half inch," forecasters said.

In Virginia's coastal areas, tides will run 1-3 feet above historical averages, with storm surge of 6 feet possible from North Carolina to Cape Cod. Coastal flooding is likely to affect barrier islands, ports and low-lying business districts as seas rise and persist for several days.

Offshore waves of 10-20 feet and prolonged high surf will also cause significant beach erosion and dune damage, AccuWeather forecasters said. The extended duration of the storm could threaten coastal infrastructure and key transportation corridors.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service forecast for Northern Virginia:

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind 6 to 8 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely before 11pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 2am, then showers likely after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers. High near 66. Breezy, with a northeast wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday: Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.