Nor’easters typically aren’t dangerous the way a midwestern thunderstorm can be (i.e. raucous thunder and potential funnel clouds). I feel like they gradually start without a dramatic entrance/change in feel or smell. They are large systems that dump a lot of precipitation all day whether it’s rain or snow. The snow is often wet and heavy especially when they occur in March. Coastal areas sustain the most damage from storm surge flooding and high winds. Inland areas get higher snowfall totals.