Nor'easter expected to bring rain, strong winds Wednesday

A “significant” nor’easter is expected to bring gusty winds, rain and coastal flooding to Long Island Wednesday evening, battering an area already dealing with power outages and gas shortages in the wake of superstorm Sandy, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

The storm could hamper clean-up efforts on the North Fork, and may knock down branches and trees already weakened by Sandy last week, weather experts said.

The nor’easter is expected to form over the southeastern coast Tuesday and strike the east coast Wednesday evening into the overnight hours, said David Stark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Upton.

Forecasts show the storm will pack sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts between 45 and 60 mph, Mr. Stark said.

“There is a concern that if these winds materialize we could see more power outages and downed trees,” he said.

Mr. Stark said the North Fork will see between 1 and 2 inches of rain Wednesday evening and “moderate coastal flooding.”

Sandy’s devastation, especially along the south shore of Long Island where protective sand dunes were wiped away, makes it difficult to predict how bad the surge’s effects will be, Mr. Stark said, adding that the Long Island Sound and South Shore will likely see worse flooding.

There is some uncertainty in the forecast because the storm has not formed yet, and the effects will be less severe if the storm heads off the coast. Updated information is expected once the nor’easter forms Tuesday.

“The way it looks right now, [the storm’s track] will be close enough that we’re going to see some of those winds,” Mr. Stark said.