A nor ` easter ( also northeaster ) is a macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States . A Nor ` easter is so named because the winds in a Nor ` easter come from the northeast , especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada . A nor ` easter ( also northeaster ; see below ) is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada , so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast , especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada .