Perfect Storm of 1991 versus Sandy
October 26th, 2012 at 1:51 pm by petemangione under Tony's Pinpoint Weather Blog
There has been a lot of talk about comparing Sandy to the Perfect Storm of 1991. There are some similarities by also some differences, so let’s go over them.
HOW THEY ARE THE SAME
During the Perfect Storm, Hurricane Grace merged with a front moving from the central US. High pressure in the far northern Atlantic acted like a block, which kept the storm from moving further out to sea. In fact, the storm started to move west back towards the land.
A similar situation exists for Sandy. According to most of our forecast computer models, a front moving in from the Great Lakes will merge with Sandy. High pressure in the Northern Atlantic is forecasted to stop the storm from moving out to sea. Instead, it is expected to move back towards land.
HOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT
The most important difference between the two storms is the location of the storm. While the Perfect Storm created widespread damage, the center of the storm never made landfall in New England. (It finally made landfall in Nova Scotia). Here is a satellite photo of the Perfect Storm swirling in the ocean.
Sandy is forecast to make landfall, here is the forecast track from the National Hurricane Center:
While the Perfect Storm wreaked havoc on much of New England, Sandy’s path of destruction for inland areas could be larger because of its expected landfall.
The Perfect Storm deepened to 972 mb, and some of our computer models for Sandy are showing pressure deepening to around 950 mb. This suggest that Sandy could potentially be stronger than the Perfect Storm.
LOOKING FORWARD
The forecast for Southern New England is highly dependant on the path of Sandy. If she makes a close pass just to our west, Sandy’s destruction could be worse than the Perfect Storm. If she stays far to our south, Sandy would not be quite as bad at the Perfect Storm. Stay tuned!
-Pete Mangione
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Excuse me Mr Mangione. If it stays south it will be worse, for us further south!! Dont be so biased and small minded in your writings. Also, use spell check.
Seriously, “Donnie Shores” ? That’s your comment? Biased? This is a comparison to the perfect storm which occurred in the Northeast. So, that’s what this is about…..THE NORTHEAST, not the south.
Exactly Northeastern not south and rude at that lisen his comparing both storms im not worried about no damn spelling check im more worried bout whats going to happened for my son and I and others to be prepared and be safe for whats coming….
Use punctuation!
You’re absolutely correct Cheryl .. The “perfect” storm back in 1991 was in the northeast. Hurricane Sandy has the potential to be much worse than the previous storm. It’s all about the northest..
Your right Gail and Cheryl..
The reason the storm would not be as bad if it stays to the south is because it won’t combine with the low pressure system coming from the Great lakes. It could go out to sea and not come onto land. The problem with this storm is even though it is a Category 1 is the width of the storm and the length of time it is going to stay over land. When Sandy hits the nor’easter the new storm will slow down considerably, the question is will that be over New Jersey or Connecticut or Pennsylvania. They think the storm could be around until Thursday or Friday with the sustained wind and rain.