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

“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

New York Gov Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the whole state ahead of the nor'easter storm and activated about 100 members of the National Guard.

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

It’s more likely that Grammy would take me out on a raft in the middle of a nor’easter.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt