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Breaking down where the term comes from and how it differs from its northern counterparts.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — You may have heard the term “northeaster,” more commonly known as a “nor’easter.” Here on the First Coast, the phrase usually signals a period of strong northeasterly winds, high surf and the potential for tidal flooding. But it’s important not to confuse our local nor’easters with the massive winter storms often seen off New England.
In the Northeast, nor’easters are powerful cold-season systems that develop from deep coastal lows. These storms often bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and damaging winds. The term “nor’easter” itself comes from the regional New England accent, where the “th” in “northeaster” is dropped.
Florida nor’easters, however, are different in both timing and impact. They tend to occur in late summer and fall and are usually tied to the interaction of a high-pressure system to the north and a weaker low to the south. The pressure difference between the two systems funnels strong northeast winds toward the coast. These “pressure gradient winds” can last for several days, driving water into the St. Johns River and intracoastal waterways, producing tidal flooding, beach erosion and rough seas.
Sometimes, Florida nor’easters overlap with tropical systems, amplifying impacts. That was the case ahead of Hurricane Irma in 2017, when days of persistent onshore flow worsened flooding on the First Coast once Irma’s rains and surge arrived.
Over the last decade, several nor’easters have left their mark on Northeast Florida:
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November 2021: A multi-day nor’easter brought more than 6 inches of rain to parts of Jacksonville and left waterfront streets in St. Augustine flooded at high tide.
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May 2018: A spring nor’easter combined with Subtropical Storm Alberto to cause coastal flooding and rip currents, closing portions of Jacksonville Beach.
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October 2016: Just weeks after Hurricane Matthew, a nor’easter prolonged flooding in low-lying areas along the St. Johns River.
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November 2014: A strong nor’easter battered the coast for nearly a week, damaging dunes in Duval and St. Johns counties and forcing repeated closures of A1A.
While not as dramatic as the snow-laden storms in New England, First Coast nor’easters can bring days of dangerous surf, coastal flooding and gusty coastal condition
