Nor’easters pertain to the weather system affecting the northeastern parts of the United States. They are associated with the formation of several different kinds of winter storms which affect these parts of the US. These weather systems create a hyperactive weather pattern resulting in very heavy rain as well as snow, along with hurricane-force winds, and even blizzard conditions at times.
Nor’easters are an extended band of clouds and are more of a north south weather activity. This time, the region of Northeast United States has seen at least four such systems. Each of these systems have managed to dump at least 12 to 18 inches of snow which caused major disruptions in the form of traffic chaos (air, rail and road) as well as closure of schools.
The areas that are affected by these nor’easters are New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New England a few other areas.
Nor ’westers on the other hand may sound very similar to nor’easters but are completely different in terms of character and area of impact. Nor ‘westers are confined to areas in the eastern parts of India particularly Jharkhand, West Bengal and sometimes Bihar and Odisha.
Nor ‘westers are a Pre-Monsoon phenomenon. Any small disturbance travelling across the Indo-Gangetic Plains on reaching the Chhotanagpur area, take the shape of nor ‘westers.
Violent thunderstorms or squall lines, which are long stretches of thunderstorms aligned move from northwest to southeast. These systems are not only fast moving but also develop at a very rapid pace. Along with this, while these thunderstorms tend to regenerate giving more weather activity as they pass by.
Nor ‘westers are characterized by deafening thunder, howling winds and scary lightning sometimes accompanied with rains as well. Sometimes these systems that even result in the formation of tornadoes which is a rare phenomenon in India.
Image Credit: Telegraph
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