Nor'easter Loosens Grip on New England

Earlier this week, an upper-atmospheric area of low pressure slid southeast from the Great Lakes and spawned an area of low pressure near the surface. 

This low, in combination with a strong surface high pressure system in eastern Canada, created a tight pressure gradient which brought strong northeasterly winds into parts of the Northeast. 

The subtropical jet stream moved north which brought tropical moisture northward, enhancing the rainfall across the region. These atmospheric ingredients ultimately developed into a nor'easter.

(MORE: Nor'easter Impacts | Power Outages, Schools Closed)

On Tuesday evening, pockets of heavy rain and flooding were reported around Baltimore as well as to the north in northern New Jersey.

There were 45 reports of flooding in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wednesday night and Thursday. Vehicles were stuck in flood waters in Peabody and Lowell, Massachusetts. The Beverly (Massachusetts) Municipal Airport tallied 6.13 inches of total rainfall through mid-afternoon Thursday. Gardner (5.60 inches) and Brockton (5.03 inches), Massachusetts also topped the five-inch rain threshold.

Strong winds were also reported throughout southern New England Wednesday, some of which downed numerous trees and left thousands without power. Winds gusted to 60 mph in Scituate and Hull, Massachusetts, and gusted to 54 mph at Boston's Logan International Airport. 

First of all, parts of the Northeast really needed the rain. Portions of southern New England and the lower Hudson Valley of New York are in a moderate drought, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

Secondly, the coldest air remained locked up in Canada, so snow was not an issue with this event. 

What is a Nor'easter?

A nor'easter gets its name from the strong northeasterly winds blowing over coastal areas. They are most common between September and April and form off the East Coast of the U.S.

Nor'easters usually develop where cold air from Canada meets warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. The Gulf Stream remains relatively warm during the fall and winter, which helps warm the colder air over the water. This temperature difference then fuels the storms.

Nor'easters are not always associated with snow, though wintry conditions do occur during these events. Typical nor'easters do bring heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding and beach erosion to the eastern coast of the U.S.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Nor'easter October 2013