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

This nor’easter is sitting over the open water of the Atlantic Ocean, south of Long Island and Cape Cod, and the winds are blowing from the northeast toward the southwest.

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

A nor’easter is now making its way over to the East Coast, with 50-mph gusts and inches of rainfall in store for New England.

From Slate • May 22, 2025

“Got to get up early and make a run ’fore that nor’easter comes in.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings