Tag Archives: Frankenstorm

What is causing Sandy to be a Super-Storm


Hurricane Sandy Impact Map

Although Sandy is currently a hurricane, this is not like a normal hurricane. Sandy is a hybrid-storm, or extratropical storm. There are a number of factors for this. Firstly, the Jet Stream that normally sits high above Canada has slipped down over the US, bringing with it an arctic blast – this is why the north west saw snow this week.

An early winter’s storm from the north is feeding into the warm air of the hurricane and intensifying the storm. It is expected there will be heavy snow showers on higher ground.

To the north east, Sandy is encountering a ridge of high pressure from Greenland. These three weather types together have merged into a super-storm, with a reach of over 800 miles.

Sandy started as a hurricane in the Caribbean, and moved up the east coast where she has whipped up the ocean, to create a massive coastal surge. Also, the Full Moon causes higher than average tides, therefore the massive coastal surge is expected to result in extensive flooding. Delaware coastal residents have been told to evacuate, and some predict the New York subway could be flooded.

The combination of high winds, heavy rain and snow is expected to result in widespread power outages, and New York residents have been told to prepare for a couple of days without power. The storm is expected to impact a third of the country.

Panic Grips New York Ahead of Frankenstorm

Hurricane Sandy, also known as Frankenstorm is due to hit the north east tomorrow, and fear is gripping New York residents. Frankenstorm is already being felt in North Carolina where the rain and high winds have begun. Meteorologists are saying Sandy is a “perfect storm”, and could impact 60 million people along the north east coast.

Sandy is no ordinary hurricane, but a hybrid storm, with a reach of over 800 miles – people from the coast to the Great Lakes have been told to prepare. Residents along Delaware’s coast have been evacuated. Some estimate that the super-storm could result in 15-foot seas, resulting in extensive coastal flooding.

A similar storm hit the eastern seaboard in 1991, and was made famous by Sebastian Junger’s best-selling book, “The Perfect Storm”. In 1991 the damage was terrible, but this time round meteorologists predict the depression is much deeper and the storm more severe.