Winter Storm Hernando hit the northeastern US with a bang, bringing heavy snow and strong winds. Cities like New York, Portland, and Boston faced blizzard warnings as the storm ramped up over the weekend. Over 10,000 flights were canceled, and many schools shut down.
The storm grew quickly, with coastal areas in Massachusetts and Rhode Island recording wind gusts of roughly 70 mph. Montauk Point in New York experienced even stronger winds at 84 mph. By Monday, some places received over 15 inches of snow. Central Park and JFK Airport saw significant accumulations, while parts of Massachusetts and Long Island got up to 30 inches. Rhode Island’s snowfall reached nearly 38 inches, with Fall River topping out at 41 inches, making it one of the region’s biggest storms since 2016.
At the peak of the storm, more than 650,000 homes and businesses were without power. While conditions improved midweek, some areas still faced lighter snow and freezing rain through Friday. Sadly, at least two fatalities were reported due to the harsh weather.
This storm is known as a “bomb cyclone.” This occurs when a storm strengthens quickly, with a drop of at least 24 millibars in pressure within 24 hours. Hernando saw a drop of about 40 millibars in less than 12 hours, showing just how powerful it became. The storm intensified due to the clash between cold Canadian air and warmer, moister Atlantic air, leading to strong circulation and heavy snowfall.
In stark contrast, central Australia faced its own weather issues. A stubborn low-pressure system caused heavy rain across regions like the Northern Territory and Queensland. In just 24 hours, Nappa Merrie in Queensland received over 165 mm of rain—more than what the area usually gets in a whole year. This system is expected to stick around, increasing the chance of flooding in already soaked areas.
Weather patterns like these remind us of the volatility of our climate. Experts warn that such extreme weather events may become more common as climate change progresses. Recent studies show that storms are not only intensifying but also threatening infrastructure and safety in many regions.
For more on climate impacts, check out the NOAA State of the Climate report. Understanding how these patterns affect our lives can help us prepare for the future.
