Hydrology EESC BC 3025
The 2003 Presidents' day winter storm
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Blizzard of 2003 radarloop
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Blizzard of 2003 US radarmap
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Nor'easters can occur in the eastern United States any time between October
and April, when moisture and cold air are plentiful. They are known
for dumping heavy amounts of rain and snow, producing hurricane-force
winds, and creating high surfs that cause severe beach erosion and coastal
flooding. A Nor'easter is named for the winds that blow in from the northeast
and drive the storm up the east coast along the Gulf Stream, a band
of warm water that lies off the Atlantic coast.
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There are two main components to a Nor'easter:
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Gulf Stream low-pressure system - (counter-clockwise winds) These systems
generate off the coast of Florida. The air above the Gulf Stream
warms and spawns a low-pressure system. This low circulates off the southeastern
U.S. coast, gathering warm air and moisture from the Atlantic. Strong northeasterly
winds at the leading edge of the storm pull it up the east coast.
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Arctic high-pressure system - (clockwise winds) As the strong northeasterly
winds pull the storm up the east coast, it meets with cold, Arctic
air blowing down from Canada. When the two systems collide, the moisture
and cold air produce a mix of precipitation.
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(from Howstuffworks
"What is a Nor'easter?")
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