Nor'easter a 'life and death' situation with high winds for almost all of East Coast

Doyle Rice | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Winter's 'bomb cyclone' explained Whether you call it a "snow hurricane" or "bombogenesis," this storm packs a punch worthy of its namesake.

March will roar in like a lion in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Friday and Saturday as a potent storm delivers a ferocious mix of howling winds, drenching rain, heavy snow and powerful waves.

Power outages, coastal flooding, damaging wind gusts and flight delays are all likely as the nor'easter explodes off the New England coast.

"Please take this storm seriously," the National Weather Service in Boston said in a statement. "For those living along the coast, this is a LIFE & DEATH situation."

High wind warnings and watches are in effect all the way from northern Georgia to southern Maine, a distance of about 900 miles.

The worst of the wind and coastal flooding will hit from eastern Massachusetts to southern Maine, AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Anderson said. Hurricane-force wind gusts of 75 mph are possible, the National Weather Service said.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker activated 200 National Guard members to help with the storm, the Associated Press reported.

“We’re expecting to see more severe flooding issues here than we did in the Jan. 4 storm,” when a Nor’easter lashed the region with heavy snow and rain, he told the AP.

"There will be the potential for severe damage to homes and other structures close to the water from the combination of high water and severe wave action," said Weather Channel winter weather expert Tom Niziol.

Winds are likely to be strong enough to lead to major airline delays from Chicago to Boston, and airlines waived change fees.

[Please RT: Moderate-Major Coastal Flooding/Hurricane Force Wind Gusts] Very significant coastal flooding along the eastern MA coast over multiple high tide cycles Fri/Sat. Hurricane force wind gusts Fri pm across Cape/Islands, property damage+numerous power outages possible. pic.twitter.com/htimcSUxXE — NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) March 1, 2018

The storm is expected to undergo explosive development known as bombogenesis, which is a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure of 24 millibars or more in a period of 24 hours or less, the Weather Channel said.

"This 'bomb cyclone' wind field is larger than most Category 1 hurricanes, with winds to match," Meteorologist Ryan Maue of weather.us said.

More: Airlines waive change fees for Friday nor'easter

The storm will be the most powerful to hit the East since January's bomb cyclone, AccuWeather said.

All along the East Coast, authorities told residents of coastal communities to be prepared to evacuate if necessary in advance of Friday morning’s high tide, the Associated Press said.

Snowfall amounts of 12 to 18 inches are expected in NY with even higher values in central NY. Coastal NY, coastal southern NE and southern NH/ME will have heavy rain with flooding possible. pic.twitter.com/T23sGuphlM — NWS Northeast RFC (@NWSNERFC) March 1, 2018

Up to 2 feet of heavy, wet snow could bury portions of New York and Pennsylvania. Strong winds are likely Friday afternoon and evening, and whiteout conditions are possible, the weather service said. Blizzard conditions are possible in portions of eastern Pennsylvania.

The Weather Channel named the system Winter Storm Riley.

Another storm could follow on its heels: "Unfortunately, there is increasing potential for another major coastal storm by the middle of next week," the weather service said.

Winter Storm #Riley will become an intense #noreaster with locally major, long-lived coastal #flooding, high winds, and heavy, wet #snow that could lead to widespread power outages. https://t.co/XjELnjHJis pic.twitter.com/KAAcpib2cC — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) March 1, 2018

The West is also getting in on the wild weather action. A separate strong storm will bring snow and rain to the western USA later Thursday and into Friday.

Authorities warned motorists to stay off Northern California mountain roads. The storm was forecast to bring heavy snowfall, powerful winds and torrential rains Thursday, the AP said.

“Totals will be measured in feet, and mountain travel will become dangerous,” the weather service tweeted. “Travel is highly discouraged.”

The forecast says more than 6 six feet of snow will fall in the highest elevations of the Sierra.

In Southern California, a forecast of widespread showers raised concern about flash flooding in areas burned by wildfires, the AP said.