The October, Uber-Storm, SANDY bears down on the northeast coast and promises a wild ride. The wind and rain in central Va. are not too bad so far but that is going to change as the day goes on. The eastern Va, Delmarva, and NJ and NY coasts are all getting hammered as I write this and it will get worse with landfall later today/early tomorrow.
This is what happens when 3 powerful air systems come together: a strong cold front to the west, a monstrous dome of high pressure off the Canadian Maritimes and Sandy. The front is blocked from pushing Sandy into the Atlantic by the high and stalled along the Appalachian. Sandy can't go east into the Atlantic because of the high, in fact, that's what is forcing Sandy onto the East coast. Sandy's counterclockwise rotation is pulling all that cold air to the north and west down into the region and will bring big snow to higher inland regions (West Va.) and big flakes to much of the region recently basking in 80 degree temps. A hurricane blizzard, it's a wild planet.
And, a shaky one, too. A 7.7 quake off Canada's west coast appears to have caused little damage but is certainly a reminder it's not just California that should have earthquake concerns out west. Dozens of aftershocks continue near the Canada/Alaska border.
Astronomy meets meteorology meets oceanography today: The full, Hunter's moon today at 3:50pm will bring spring tides, which combined with the hurricane's storm surge will mean much, much, much higher water than coastal residents may have ever seen. It would not be surprising to see barrier islands in new places after this is all over. Sand is just looking for a little energy to move. Sandy, the moon & sun and ocean will be moving lots of sand and likely leave the east coast looking a little different after this is all over. Hatteras Island in NC is still recovering from little Irene last year. Sandy is no Irene...
Just a reminder folks, Earth is still in charge! Careful out there, today on earth!!!
