Publication Date January 20, 2016 | Discovery News

Winter Storm Could Break Coastal Flood Records

United States
A map shows the forecast storm surge in feet from this weekend's winter storm. Image: NOAA
A map shows the forecast storm surge in feet from this weekend's winter storm. Image: NOAA

The chatter about this weekend’s snowstorm has reached a fever pitch. And while snow total maps are de rigueur for any weather site worth its road salt, it’s the coastal flood impacts that could also go down in the record books and drive major damage.

Areas north and west of Washington, D.C. are under a blizzard watch from Friday afternoon through late Saturday. The National Weather Service is warning of “potential life threatening conditions” due to strong winds and heavy snow. Parts of the Washington, D.C. area could receive up to of 3 feet of snow, putting this storm in the record books and paralyzing travel in the area...

On Saturday, powerful winds in excess of 60 mph could whip up waves that could reach 30 feet. As they come ashore, beaches will take a pounding and face widespread erosion.