Nor’easter Set to Disrupt East Coast Travel With Flight, Cruise Changes

A strengthening nor’easter is moving up the East Coast and threatening to disrupt weekend travel from the Mid-Atlantic through New England, with heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding, and rough seas expected from Friday through Sunday. 

According to Weather.com, the strongest winds are expected Friday and Saturday from eastern Long Island through coastal and southeastern New England, with gusts reaching 60 miles per hour in some locations. 

Gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour are also possible farther south along the Jersey Shore, Delaware, and Virginia Tidewater. The prolonged storm is already producing coastal flooding, with additional flooding, downed trees and power outages possible as the system lingers.

The storm is expected to be primarily a rain and wind event, with the system potentially lingering near southern New England into the weekend. That prolonged period of poor weather could create problems for travelers even after the worst conditions move through.

Flights Face Delays and Cancellations

Air travelers across the Northeast should prepare for delays and cancellations, particularly at Boston Logan and the three major New York-area airports. The New York Times said delays are most likely at Logan this weekend and are also possible at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.

At Boston Logan, airport officials are warning passengers to expect disruptions throughout the weekend. CBS Boston reported that more than 60 flights had already been canceled at Logan Friday morning, with most of those cancellations involving Cape Air. Boston is expected to receive heavy rain Saturday, with wind gusts reaching 40 to 55 miles per hour.

As a result, United Airlines is waiving change fees for Boston, Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, Hartford, Manchester, Philadelphia, Providence, Portland, and Nantucket for eligible travel on September 25-27. American Airlines has issued an advisory covering Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Philadelphia, while JetBlue’s waiver covers 11 Northeast airports, including Boston, New York, Newark, Providence, and several Massachusetts airports.

Travelers should check directly with their airline before heading to the airport, particularly if flying Friday through Sunday. Even airports outside the storm’s core could experience delays as aircraft and crews are repositioned across the airline network.

Cruise Lines Already Changing Itineraries

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas planned nine-night Canada and New England sailing from Baltimore was replaced with an itinerary heading south to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Grand Bahama Island. The ship’s return to Baltimore was also delayed, pushing embarkation for the next sailing back several hours.

Carnival Venezia was also impacted, as the ship left Bermuda earlier than originally planned because of the deteriorating weather, shortening the port visit, and its return to New York was delayed. The following five-night Bermuda sailing also received a delayed departure time.

Other ships operating from New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and Boston could also see changes as the storm continues to develop. Potentially affected sailings include ships operating from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Cape Liberty and Boston, particularly those bound for Bermuda, Canada and New England.

Roads and Coastal Travel Also Impacted

Coastal flooding, heavy rain and strong winds could create difficult driving conditions, particularly along the coast and in low-lying areas. Flash flooding and downed trees or limbs are possible in southeastern and coastal New England and eastern Long Island. Travelers are also being warned to avoid coastal areas around high tides.

Some impacts are already being felt farther south. According to Fox Weather, a 16-mile stretch of North Carolina Highway 12 on the Outer Banks was closed because of ocean overwash, while rising water forced the cancellation of the Oceans Calling festival in Maryland.

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