Nor’easters Intensify, Batter New England with Growing Force

Quick Summary

• Nor’easters, the powerful storms impacting the US north-east, have intensified as the 1940s, potentially causing greater damage.
• Rising sea surface temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are identified as a key factor driving this trend.
• Research by Michael Mann and colleagues analyzed data from over 85 years using statistical techniques to identify these changes in storm intensity and precipitation patterns.
• Findings reveal that while average storm intensity remains stable, the strongest nor’easters show increased strength due to warmer ocean temperatures interacting with other factors like wind shear.
• The change in maximum wind speed for these storms is relatively small-approximately under 2 meters per second since 1940-but still meaningful for potential damage caused by flooding and precipitation increases.
• Sea level rise combined with higher precipitation rates can exacerbate coastal flooding and inland water surges during storms.

Read More: Image: Nor’easter storm flooding in Lynn Massachusetts January 2024