After NYC was hit with its first major snowfall, soon followed by winter storm Izzy, a powerful nor’easter on its way may keep the trend going.
Though NYC is no stranger to nor’easter’s, the East Coast is bracing for a powerful one to sweep the region this Friday through Saturday with potential snow, strong winds, and possible flooding. Nevertheless, depending on the path of the storm, NYC could be hit with ‘near-blizzard conditions,’ shared ABC 7.
The Weather Channel explains the incoming storm resulting from a cold front moving across the Northeast that will meet an upper-level disturbance coming in from western Canada to the central and eastern United States. “That combination of fresh cold air and the intensifying storm crawling northward off the East Coast sets the stage for a possible high-impact winter storm in parts of the Northeast.”
There is potential for a storm system to bring heavy snow and high winds to eastern portions of the area Friday night into Saturday night. There is an unusual amount of uncertainty in snow amounts and significant changes are possible. Full briefing at https://t.co/FtWNwQKwCD. pic.twitter.com/ursxiqDnfQ
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) January 27, 2022
Our 2nd briefing is out for a potential storm system tomorrow night into Saturday night with Winter Storm Watches and Gale Warnings issued. Uncertainty still remains and significant changes are possible.
Full briefing here: https://t.co/U4S9WzlXZK#NYwx #NJwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/q4G4Y0jJ6z— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) January 27, 2022
Meteorologists predict the nor’easter could turn into a “bomb cyclone” which occurs when “a low-pressure system associated with fronts with a central pressure that plunges at least 24 millibars in 24 hours or less.” It’s not uncommon for nor’easters to turn into a “bomb cylcone” due to the cold northern air combining with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream as it moves south. These weather bombs result in dramatic winds, heavy precipitation, potential blizzard conditions, and sometimes even lightning, shared The Weather Channel.
Since no one is certain of the track of this weekend’s nor’easter, whatever region it targets can expect “significant snowfall, high winds and/or coastal flooding.” According to ABC 7, NYers can expect such conditions if the storm travels closer to the coast. However, if it tracks further offshore, we may spared.
Stay tuned as the week carries on to see how NYC may fare.