Winter Storm Hernando Batters Northeastern US
Winter Storm Hernando affected the northeastern US, bringing blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, and gale-force winds. Blizzard warnings were issued for New York City, Portland, and Boston. Over 10,000 flights were cancelled, and schools closed in multiple states.
Winter Storm Hernando brought blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, and gale-force winds to the northeastern US, causing widespread disruption.
The storm intensified quickly on Sunday. Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island recorded wind gusts of approximately 70mph, with Montauk Point in New York reporting gusts of 84mph.
Record Snowfall Accumulates
By Monday, snowfall totals surpassed 38cm (15in) in areas including Central Park and John F Kennedy international airport. Some communities experienced over six consecutive hours of steady snowfall, with accumulations exceeding 76cm in parts of Massachusetts and on Long Island, New York.
Rhode Island recorded 96cm by Monday night, and Fall River, Massachusetts, reached 104cm, marking it as a significant snowstorm since 2016.
Power Outages and Lingering Effects
At its peak, more than 650,000 homes and businesses lost power. While the most severe conditions eased by midweek, lighter snow, sleet, and freezing rain continued into Thursday and Friday. At least two deaths were attributed to the weather.
At its peak, more than 650,000 homes and businesses lost power across the affected regions.
Hernando: A "Bomb Cyclone" Explained
The storm was described as a "bomb cyclone," a term derived from "bombogenesis." This phenomenon denotes a rapid intensification of a mid-latitude storm where central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. Hernando's pressure reportedly dropped by approximately 40 millibars in under 12 hours.
This rapid deepening was fueled by a sharp contrast between mild, moisture-rich Atlantic air and colder continental air from Canada. This temperature gradient strengthened the storm's circulation, and abundant moisture led to intense snowfall. Slightly warmer air within parts of the system produced heavier, wetter snow, contributing to substantial accumulations.
Central Australia Grapples with Torrential Rains
Separately, a slow-moving weather system brought days of torrential rain to central Australia, affecting the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Persistent rain and thunderstorms have impacted these areas since early in the week.
At Nappa Merrie in south-west Queensland, over 165mm of rain fell in 24 hours on Wednesday. This rainfall is substantial for a region that typically receives 100-200mm annually.
The Australian system is projected to remain over the country’s interior until at least Saturday, increasing the risk of further heavy rainfall and renewed flooding in already saturated areas.