Was winter storm Hernando the worst snowfall in years? US cities shut down amidst blizzard conditions

A powerful winter storm has swept across the north-eastern United States, leaving cities struggling with heavy snowfall, strong winds and widespread disruption. Known as Winter Storm Hernando, the system triggered blizzard warnings and brought travel to a near standstill in several major urban centers.

Schools closed across multiple states while thousands of flights were cancelled as conditions deteriorated rapidly. With powerful gusts and relentless snowfall, the storm quickly became one of the most significant winter events the region has faced in years.

While the US dealt with severe snow and freezing conditions, another extreme weather event unfolded across Australia, where a slow-moving system unleashed days of intense rainfall across large parts of the country, as per a report by The Guardian.


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How did winter storm Hernando disrupt the northeastern United States?

Winter Storm Hernando swept through the region on Sunday before continuing into the early part of the week, bringing severe winter weather to major cities including New York City, Boston, and Portland.

Blizzard warnings were issued as heavy snow combined with gale-force winds, creating dangerous conditions across the region. More than 10,000 flights were cancelled during the height of the storm, while schools across several states were forced to shut down.

The storm strengthened quickly through Sunday. Coastal parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island experienced wind gusts reaching about 70 miles per hour. Even stronger winds were reported at Montauk Point, where gusts climbed to 84 mph, as per a report by The Guardian.

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How much snow did the storm bring?

By Monday, snowfall totals had already crossed 38 centimeters (15 inches) in several locations. Measurements from Central Park and John F Kennedy International Airport confirmed the heavy accumulation.

Some areas experienced more than six continuous hours of snowfall, pushing totals much higher. In parts of Massachusetts and on Long Island, snowfall exceeded 76 centimeters.

The storm’s intensity was particularly notable in Rhode Island, where totals reached 96 centimeters by Monday night. In Fall River, snowfall reached 104 centimeters, making it one of the most significant snowstorms recorded in the region since 2016.

At the peak of the storm, more than 650,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity. Although the harshest conditions began easing by midweek, lighter snow, sleet and freezing rain continued through Thursday and Friday. Authorities reported at least two deaths linked to the severe weather, as per a report by The Guardian.

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Why was Hernando called a “Bomb Cyclone”?

Meteorologists described Hernando as a “bomb cyclone,” a term tied to the phenomenon known as Bombogenesis. This occurs when a storm’s central pressure drops extremely quickly—by at least 24 millibars within 24 hours.

Hernando intensified far more rapidly. Reports indicate its pressure fell by about 40 millibars in less than 12 hours, showing explosive development.

The rapid strengthening happened because relatively mild, moisture-rich air from the Atlantic collided with much colder continental air moving south from Canada. The sharp temperature contrast intensified the storm’s circulation and helped produce intense snowfall.

In some areas, slightly warmer air within the system created wetter, heavier snow, contributing to large accumulations across the region.

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What extreme weather is hitting Australia at the same time?

While North America battled snow and freezing winds, central Australia experienced the opposite extreme. A slow-moving weather system brought persistent rain and thunderstorms across the interior.

Large parts of Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales have been drenched by days of heavy rainfall.

At Nappa Merrie, more than 165 millimeters of rain fell within just 24 hours on Wednesday—an extraordinary amount for a region that usually receives around 100 to 200 millimeters across an entire year.

Forecasters say the system could remain over Australia’s interior until at least Saturday, increasing the risk of further heavy rainfall and flooding in already saturated regions.

Meanwhile, there is a freezing fog advisory in place for portions of central Pennsylvania.

Up to 9 a.m. on Friday, the following southwestern counties were under the advisory:

Lincoln County, York County, Cumberland County, Adams County, and Franklin County, as per a report by WGAL.

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FAQs

What is a bomb cyclone?
A bomb cyclone forms when a storm rapidly intensifies, with atmospheric pressure dropping at least 24 millibars within 24 hours.

How severe was Winter Storm Hernando?
The storm produced heavy snowfall exceeding one meter in some places, caused major travel disruptions, power outages, and led to widespread closures across the northeastern United States.