Nor’easter remains a wind machine
A strong Nor’easter continues to crank across the northeastern U.S. today, October 17, after “bombing out” last night over New England. This means the central atmospheric pressure of the storm dropped like a bomb – falling at least 24 millibars in 24 hours or less – producing wicked winds that toppled trees and power lines. The storm won’t let up, so shippers should expect delays of ground and air freight.
Massachestts may have been hit the hardest last night. Boston’s Logan International Airport (ICAO: BOS) recorded a wind gust of 70 mph, with gusts of 60 mph and 90 mph at the Cape Cod and Provincetown airports, respectively. Other areas in New England were a little more fortunate with gusts of 50 to 60 mph in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Portland, Maine. However, damage was reported in these areas.
The storm has caused scattered roadblocks across the region and, as of this morning, more than half a million customers have no electricity. With winds not showing much mercy today, crews may have to wait until the storm subsides before repairing utility lines in many neighborhoods. Gusts of 45-60 mph will be common for the rest of today along the I-95 corridor, including northern New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, the Connecticut coast, Cape Cod and Nantucket. Inland gusts will be as high as 35 to 45 mph.
There’s potential for additional power outages and roadblocks. Also, the fierce crosswinds will increase the risk for rollovers, especially for truckers who are deadheading.
The storm will also contain areas of moderate/heavy rain, mainly across interior New England and portions of New York state north of the Big Apple. Localized flash flooding is possible. As cold air filters in behind the storm, pockets of snow, sleet or freezing rain may develop in some high elevations. The Nor’easter should finally fade by this evening.
Other weather today, October 17
Periods of rain and snow showers will hit the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Some peaks in the Cascades could receive at least four inches of snowfall. Heavier snowfall could develop across the region tomorrow.
Look for scattered thunderstorms from portions of the Four Corners region to Wyoming, and in parts of the Florida Peninsula.
There’s an increasing risk of wildfires sparking in portions of several western states, including Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico. Very dry conditions will make it easy for fires to start. Gusty winds of 35 to 50 mph may cause new and existing fires to spread out of control. Smoke could reduce visibility on some highways. Crosswinds and headwinds may also give truckers trouble.
Additional notes
A 115-mile stretch of Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) track remains out of service in Missouri between Kansas City and Moberly. This is due to flooding and a logjam that caused the collapse of the Norfolk Southern bridge over the Grand River in Brunswick, Missouri earlier this month.
The collapse of the railroad bridge has resulted in some freight volume shifting to trucks, especially in the Quincy, Illinois market. The current estimate is mid-November for repairs to be complete and service restored. Norfolk Southern has entered into agreements with its interline partners to detour freight traffic over alternative gateways through the duration of the outage.
Tropical update
Chances for heavy rain and localized flooding will increase Friday from New Orleans to Tallahassee as a potential tropical system, called Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen (PTC16) moves toward the northern U.S. Gulf Coast.
PTC16 is becoming better organized off the coast of southeastern Mexico, and could become the next named tropical storm later today or tonight. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) pegs the odds of this happening at 90%! PTC16 is centered about 620 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. Once winds reach 39 mph, it will be a tropical storm. The next name on the list is Nestor.
Keep in mind that named or not, this system could flood areas along the I-10 corridor, from New Orleans to Tallahassee, due to heavy rainfall and storm surge from Friday evening, October 18, through Saturday, October 19. Wind damage is also possible.
Have a great day, and be careful out there!
