nor'easter

American  

[nawr-ee-ster] / ˌnɔrˈi stər /

noun

Meteorology.

1. an eastern North American storm that usually develops between the Georgia and New Jersey latitudes, progressing northeastward and typified by potentially violent northeast winds: most frequent and intense from September through April, nor’easters can develop within a hundred miles of the east coast and commonly bring heavy rain or snow and coastal damage.

   The nor’easter of 1992 breached the island and destroyed many homes.

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Etymology

Origin of nor'easter

First recorded in 1830–40; by shortening of northeaster

Example Sentences

Mayor Zohran Mamdani was forced by this nor’easter to make an even more concerted push this week, expanding their ranks and even bumping up their pay, as of Monday, from $19 an hour to $30.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

The historic nor’easter that’s pounded every state from Maine to West Virginia may finally be over, but the cleanup certainly ain’t.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

“It’s been a decade or so since we saw this much of a widespread nor’easter impact,” said Cody Snell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center based in Maryland.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

It's expected to be the most powerful nor'easter storm in nearly a decade for many parts of the northeast, bringing snow, fierce winds and coastal flooding.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Surely every sailor out there would survive a summer nor’easter.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk