The ‘nor’easter’

By DAVE NICOSIA, National Weather Service Binghamton

A “nor’easter” is a storm that tracks up the eastern seaboard, producing northeast winds for our region. Northeast winds at the surface allow cold air to drain south across our region from New England and Canada. Higher up in the atmosphere, winds associated with a “nor’easter” typically flow from a more east or southeast direction. This allows moist air from the Atlantic Ocean to override the cold air near the earth’s surface. This combination can produce heavy snow for our area.

“Nor’easters” can strike the region anytime from October to April. However, they are most frequent from January through March.

Many “nor’easters” that have paralyzed our region. On February 3-4, 1961, a major winter storm swept across New York and Pennsylvania leaving one to two feet of snow in its wake. A massive winter storm tracked up the eastern seaboard on March 28-29, 1984 with up to 26 inches of snow across portions of New York and northern Pennsylvania. On March 12-14, 1993, “The Blizzard of ‘93” tracked up the eastern seaboard and brought blizzard-like conditions.

Snowstorms of this magnitude can shut down our airports and main transportation routes. Generally, the quicker the snow falls, the more serious the impact. Heavy snow can immobilize regions and paralyze cities, stopping the flow of supplies, stranding commuters for hours or even days and disrupting emergency and medical services.

Accumulations of snow can collapse buildings and knock down trees and power lines, especially if it is a heavy, wet snowfall. In rural areas, homes and farms may be isolated for days and unprotected livestock may be lost. In the mountains, heavy snow can lead to avalanches. When strong winds combine with the heavy snow, blizzard conditions result, leading to near- zero visibilities.

With the arrival of the winter season and the potential for “nor’easters” and heavy snow in our region, keep these safety tips in mind.

• When roads are snow and/or ice covered, slow down and allow for extra time to reach your destination.
• Prepare your vehicle for the winter season and know how to react if stranded or lost on the road. If you are a frequent traveler through the region, have a winter storm survival kit in your vehicle.
• Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Try not to travel alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.
• Have available: flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information. These may be your only links to the outside.
• It is also important to listen to the latest weather forecasts.

If you have any further questions on winter weather safety, visit the Binghamton National Weather Service web site at www.nws.noaa.gov/er/bgm.

More information on winter weather safety can be found at: www.nww.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml. You can also send me e-mail with your questions at david.nicosia@noaa.gov.