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Crazy Full Moon-Winter Storm-Hurricane Hybrid May Be Headed Our Way
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 25, 2012
Modified Oct 25, 2012
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 25, 2012
Modified Oct 25, 2012
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This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at 1:45 a.m. EDT shows Category 2 Hurricane Sandy over eastern Cuba moving northward with sustained winds of 110 mph. A frontal boundary extends across the Upper Mississippi Valley and across the Central Plains with showers and thunderstorms. A warm front extends across the Central Great Lakes becoming stationary across Mid-Atlantic with cloudiness and some scattered light rain showers. (AP Photo/Weather Underground)
As Hurricane Sandy moves over Cuba, meteorologists are warning that it could bring severe weather to New York City by Sunday night. According to CBS NY, the storm's track isn't quite solidified yet, and a cold front could push it out to sea... "But if the front lags behind, the East Coast, including the New York City area, could be in for a direct hit." They add that the worst case scenario "had the hurricane slamming the New York City area with 5 inches of rain from Sunday through Tuesday, and wind gusts of 65 mph. A storm surge would also erupt... and some snow could also be seen."
National Hurricane Center Chief Hurricane Specialist James Franklin says the above scenario is growing more likely, and government scientists say there's a 70% chance we'll get hit. Have you left the computer to stock up on milk and water and duct tape yet? Most grocers' shelves are probably empty by now! You're doomed!
So far, no one seems to know what to call this storm—other forecasters are referring to it as "an unusual hybrid of hurricane and winter storm." Also, it's likely to hit during a Full Moon, so there's a good chance everyone around you is just going to be weird while you're stuck indoors with them, huddled around the last cup of ramen. (It also means higher tides in coastal regions.)
And the scaremongering continues: NOAA forecasts warn all of these factors could mean that power outages could last to Election Day, and some have "compared it to the so-called Perfect Storm that struck off the coast of New England in 1991." This one:
As for how much this will cost if it does indeed happen, a Weather Underground meteorologist says, "The Perfect Storm only did $200 million of damage, and I'm thinking a billion... it will be worse." Which means we need a name worthy of its dreadful potential. Any suggestions that don't involve riffing on some played out combo of "apocalypse" or "armageddon"? Moonicane? Hurristorm? Full Netfliximoon?
Tagged
full moon
got milk?
hurricane sandy
hurristorm
moonicane
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the perfect storm
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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