Types of Nor'easters: Miller Type A vs. Type B

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A nor'easter is one of the most powerful weather phenomena, capable of bringing severe and often dangerous conditions. The term "nor'easter" refers to the strong northeast winds that sweep along the eastern seaboard during a coastal low storm. These storms deliver significant snowfall, blizzard-like conditions, ice accumulation, coastal flooding, and widespread power outages caused by damaging winds.

Did you know there are two primary setups for a typical nor'easter? The Miller classification, developed by researcher J.E. Miller, identifies two distinct storm patterns. The first, Miller "Type A," occurs when a storm forms off the southeastern U.S. coast and tracks up the eastern seaboard, intensifying as it moves north. These systems are fast-moving and can bring intense snowfall rates of up to 2-3 inches per hour to coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The Interstate 95 corridor in New England often sees the heaviest snowfall with Type A nor'easters.

The second setup, Miller "Type B", occurs when a low-pressure system develops in the Ohio River Valley and strengthens quickly as it moves to the east often bringing heavy snow and high winds to the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. Type B storms often deliver higher snowfall totals to states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Several key ingredients in the development of coastal lows can determine whether a storm becomes significant for many along the East Coast, making nor'easters particularly difficult to forecast.