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| Welcome to Mid-Atlantic Hurricanes: A Closer Examination. This is a periodic column based on the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. In it, the author, Rick Schwartz, examines tropical cyclones(and nor'easters), as well as climate and environmental issues, from a historical Mid-Atlantic perspective. |
Mid-Atlantic Hurricanes: A Closer Examination |
` What a time for memorable weather! Much of the Mid-Atlantic region has experienced a series of remarkable storms. "Nor'ida" in November. The great snowstorm of December. Twin blizzards in February. Can unforgettable hurricanes be far behind? There are strong indications that big nor'easters occur in tandem with fierce hurricanes, especially during an active North Atlantic hurricane cycle such as the one that began in 1995. Consider the following: The huge Mid-Atlantic snowstorm of February 2003 was followed by Hurricane Isabel in September. The severe winter of 1995-96 was followed by hurricanes Bertha and Fran, very destructive storms. Further back, Hurricane Donna in 1960 and less powerful, but respectable, hurricanes in 1959 and 1961 visited the Middle Atlantic states amid a period of big snowstorms. The legendary Blizzard of February 1899 was followed by the savage San Ciriaco Hurricane of September 1899, a storm that devastated the Cape Hatteras, N.C., area. March 1896 brought a record-setting snowy month to New York City and other localities of the Mid-Atlantic. It was followed by damaging hurricanes later in the year, including an event during September that pounded interior sections of the region with an epic windstorm. There are many other examples of intense nor'easters occurring during the same year as powerful hurricanes. The infamous Blizzard of 1888 and the great nor'easter of April 1889 left lifetime memories, but so did the hurricane of September 1889. Extremes seem to bring extremes. The 1888-89 storms came after several tranquil years. Prior to this winter, eastern sections of the Mid-Atlantic region had a virtual absence of notable snowstorms for several years. Likewise, there has been little hurricane activity since 2004. The dearth of hurricanes making landfall along the East Coast north of Florida during this decade is especially troubling, as catch-up may involve frequent and dramatic activity over a period of a few years. There is plenty of historic precedent for long lulls being followed by Nature's worst again and again. Snowy winters do not guarantee destructive hurricanes, but they seem to indicate an enhanced threat. |
Winter Storms of 2009/2010 Suggest An Enhanced Hurricane Risk |
| Rick Schwartz, author of Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States |