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.