nor'easter

[ nawr-ee-ster ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nor'easter¹

First recorded in 1830–40; by shortening of northeaster

Example Sentences

A nor'easter howled in from the Atlantic and smothered Salem in snowdrifts.

From Literature