Superstorm
A superstorm is a large, destructive storm without another distinct meteorological classification, such as hurricane or blizzard. As the term is of recent coinage and lacks a formal definition, there is some debate as to its usefulness.[1]
Origin and Usage
Before the early 1990s, the phrases "storm of the century" or "perfect storm" were generally used to describe unusually large or destructive storms.[2] The term "superstorm" was employed in 1993 by the National Weather Service to describe a Nor'easter in March of that year.[3] The term is most frequently used to describe a weather pattern that is as destructive as a hurricane, but which exhibits the cold-weather patterns of a winter storm.[4]
Examples
- Great Gale of 1880, northwest United States
- Braer Storm of January 1993, North Atlantic
- 1993 Storm of the Century, eastern North America
- Columbus Day Storm of 1962, Pacific Northwest windstorm
- Great Storm of 1975, central and southeast United States
- Hanukkah Eve windstorm of 2006, Pacific Northwest windstorm
- Great Coastal Gale of 2007, a series of three powerful Pacific Northwest storms
- January 2008 North American storm complex, Pacific extratropical cyclone over North America
- October 2009 North American storm complex, extratropical cyclone over western North America
- January 2010 North American storms
- October 2010 North American storm complex, extratropical cyclone that impacted North America
- November 2011 Bering Sea cyclone, cyclone that affected Alaska
- January 2013 Northwest Pacific cyclone, extratropical cyclone
- November 2014 Bering Sea cyclone, extremely powerful extratropical cyclone in the Bering Sea
- North Sea flood of 1953, A powerful system that triggered severe flooding in the British Isles and Netherlands
See also
Look up superstorm in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
References
- ^ Shaw, Jerry. "Hurricane vs. Superstorm: What's the Difference?". Newsmax. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ Chameides, Bill. "What makes a storm 'super'". Duke’s Nicholas School blog. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ National Weather Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. National Disaster Survey Report: Superstorm of March 1993 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 27 April 2017.
{{cite report}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|authors=(help) - ^ Conklin, Al (2013). "What's in a name? Sandy: Hurricane or Superstorm?". WSFA. Retrieved 27 April 2017.