A powerful winter storm, dubbed Hernando, brought blizzard conditions to the northeastern United States this week, disrupting travel and daily life across multiple states. The storm, which began impacting the region on Sunday, resulted in more than 10,000 flight cancellations and widespread school closures.
Storm Intensification and Impact
Hernando intensified rapidly on Sunday, with wind gusts reaching approximately 70 mph along the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Montauk Point, New York, experienced even stronger gusts, peaking at 84 mph. Snowfall totals exceeded 38cm (15in) in several locations by Monday, including Central Park and John F Kennedy International Airport.
The storm’s impact extended beyond travel disruptions. At its peak, over 650,000 homes and businesses were left without power. While conditions eased midweek, lighter snow, sleet and freezing rain continued through Thursday, and Friday. Tragically, at least two deaths have been attributed to the severe weather.
A “Bomb Cyclone”
Meteorologists have described Winter Storm Hernando as a “bomb cyclone,” a phenomenon occurring when a mid-latitude storm rapidly intensifies. Hernando’s central pressure reportedly dropped by approximately 40 millibars in less than 12 hours, indicating a period of explosive development. This rapid intensification was fueled by a contrast between mild, moist air from the Atlantic and cold air originating in Canada.
Weather Systems Worldwide
While the northeastern US battled blizzard conditions, a separate, slow-moving weather system brought torrential rainfall to central Australia. Areas across the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales have experienced days of persistent rain and thunderstorms since early this week.
At Nappa Merrie in southwest Queensland, over 165mm of rain fell in just 24 hours on Wednesday – an extraordinary amount given the region’s typical annual rainfall of 100-200mm. The Australian system is expected to linger through at least Saturday, increasing the risk of further heavy rainfall and flooding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Winter Storm Hernando to intensify so rapidly?
The storm intensified rapidly due to a process called bombogenesis, where the central pressure dropped by about 40 millibars in less than 12 hours. This was fueled by a sharp contrast between mild, moisture-laden Atlantic air and colder air from Canada.
What areas were most affected by the snowfall?
Parts of Massachusetts, Long Island, New York, and Rhode Island experienced the highest snowfall totals. Fall River, Massachusetts, recorded 104cm of snow, and Rhode Island saw accumulations of 96cm by Monday night.
What is happening with the weather in Australia?
An unusually slow-moving weather system is causing days of torrential rain across central Australia, impacting the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Nappa Merrie in southwest Queensland received over 165mm of rain in 24 hours.
As the remnants of Winter Storm Hernando move away from the US East Coast, it remains to be seen what long-term impacts the storm will have on infrastructure and communities.