October 2021 nor'easter

{{Redirect|Tropical Storm Wanda (2021)|other storms named Wanda|List of storms named Wanda}}

{{Infobox weather event

| image = Late October 2021 nor'easter 2021-10-27 1743Z.jpg

| caption = The nor'easter near peak intensity off the coast of the Northeastern United States, on October 27

| as = the October 2021 nor'easter

| formed = October 25, 2021

}}{{Infobox weather event/History

| as = Tropical Storm Wanda

| formed = October 30, 2021

| post-tropical = November 7, 2021

| dissipated = November 7, 2021

}}{{Infobox weather event/Storm

|basin = atl

|type = Nor'easter

|winds = 60

|gusts = 80

|pressure = 973

|maximum rain = 8.69

|maximum-rain-suffix = {{sp}}at Baiting Hollow, New York

}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS

|winds = 50

|pressure = 983

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

|year = 2021

|deaths = ≥2

|damages-prefix = >

|damages = 200000000

|outages = >600,000

|affected = Southern United States, East Coast of the United States, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, Azores

|refs = {{Cite report|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL212021_Wanda.pdf|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Wanda|last1=Reinhart|first1=Brad|last2=Berg|first2=Robbie|date=February 23, 2022|publisher=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|access-date=July 27, 2023}}{{cite web|last1=Masters|first1=Jeff|last2=Henson|first2=Bob|date=October 31, 2021|title=Subtropical Storm Wanda forms, exhausting the Atlantic list of storms|url=https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/10/subtropical-storm-wanda-forms-exhausting-the-atlantic-list-of-storms/|publisher=Yale Climate Connections|location=New Haven, Connecticut|access-date=October 31, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/noreaster-sends-enormous-waves-crashing-over-homes/1038639|title=Nor'easter sends enormous waves crashing over homes|author1=Adriana Navarro|author2=Alyssa Smithmyer|work=AccuWeather|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Clyde|last2=Uria|first2=Daniel|date=October 27, 2021|title=Deadly nor'easter knocks out power for more than 500,000 in N.Y., New England|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/10/27/noreaster-new-york-massachusetts-storm/4331635342755/|work=United Press International|access-date=July 27, 2023}}

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

|season = 2021–22 North American winter and the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season

}}

The October 2021 nor'easter, which eventually became Tropical Storm Wanda, was an erratic nor'easter and tropical cyclone that struck the East Coast of the United States, and meandered across the northern Atlantic Ocean in early November 2021. The powerful extratropical cyclone affected much of the East Coast, causing significant flooding in areas which were previously affected by hurricanes Henri and Ida.{{cite news|last=Harrison|first=Andrew|url=https://centraljersey.com/2021/10/26/noreaster-storm-weather-does-not-cause-severe-issues-across-hopewell-valley/|title=Nor'easter does not cause severe issues across Hopewell Valley|date=October 26, 2021|access-date=October 28, 2021}}{{cite news|title=Intensifying nor'easter lashing Northeast with flooding rain and high winds|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/10/26/noreaster-bomb-cyclone-northeast-newyork/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 26, 2021|last1=Cappucci|first1=Matthew|last2=Samenow|first2=Jason|access-date=October 28, 2021}} As Wanda, the cyclone was the twenty-first and final tropical cyclone of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. The system originated from a non-tropical mid-level trough that moved across the Southern United States on October 24–25, and moved out into the Atlantic, where a well defined area of low pressure formed. This quickly became a bomb cyclone off the East Coast of the United States on October 27, causing flooding and bringing powerful gale-force winds to the region in the process. Then, on October 30, after weakening and moving eastward out into the Atlantic, the system acquired subtropical characteristics and was given the name Wanda. By 12:00 UTC on November 1, the system transitioned into a tropical storm. Over the next several days, Wanda meandering well west of the Azores, before curving southward and then accelerating northeastward, before degenerating into a post-tropical cyclone on November 7, several hours before merging with a frontal system.

The nor'easter caused over $200 million (2021 USD) in damage in the Northeastern United States, and two storm-related deaths were reported. More than 600,000 customers across the region were without electrical power at the height of the storm. There were no reports of deaths from Wanda.

Meteorological history

On October 24{{nbnd}}25, a non-tropical mid-level trough moved across the Southern United States and out into the Atlantic, where a well defined area of low pressure formed. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the disturbance on October 24, noting that it could potentially develop into a subtropical or tropical cyclone several days later.{{cite report|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/xgtwo_5day/gtwo_archive.php?current_issuance=202110240543&basin=atl&fdays=5|title=Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|last=Zelinsky|first=David|publisher=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|date=October 24, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2023}} The extratropical low that produced the nor'easter (which later transitioned into Tropical Storm Wanda) formed on October 25, about {{cvt|120|nmi|mi km|order=out|round=5}} southeast of Cape Fear, North Carolina, when the eastern part of the trough began interacting with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The following day, the low proceeded to move northeastward along the U.S. East Coast, ahead of another trough. There it deepened, and its structure improved, as it absorbed another extratropical low over the Northeastern United States, which was located to the west. The nor'easter became a bomb cyclone{{cite news|title='Bomb cyclone' brings 90 mph gusts to New England; hundreds of thousands without power|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/10/27/bomb-cyclone-new-england-outages/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 27, 2021|last1=Cappucci|first1=Matthew|last2=Samenow|first2=Jason|access-date=October 28, 2021}} on October 26{{nbnd}}27, when its central barometric pressure dropped from {{Convert|996|mbar|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|973|mbar|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} over a 24 hour period. During this time, at 00:00 UTC on October 27, the system also reached its peak strength with sustained winds of {{cvt|60|kn|mph km/h|order=out|round=5}}, while located about {{cvt|110|nmi|mi km|order=out|round=5}} east-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

File:Wanda 2021-10-31 1500Z.jpg

The nor'easter was making a counterclockwise loop while rapidly intensifying, and when completed, it gradually weakened while moving out to sea. Embedded within a trough as it began moving eastward late on October 27, the NHC rated the five-day probability of it becoming subtropical as low (less than 40%). Late on October 29, the system began acquiring subtropical characteristics, following a flare-up of convection in its northern region. Then, at 12:00 UTC on October 30, Subtropical Storm Wanda formed about {{cvt|515|nmi|mi km|round=5|order=out}} south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. That same day, Wanda's generally eastward movement came to an abrupt stop, and the sheer decreased, which provided an opportunity for it to gain strength. Consequently, it was able to reach its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of {{cvt|50|kn|mph km/h|round=5|order=out}} and a minimum central pressure of {{Convert|983|mbar|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} at 12:00 UTC on October 31.

Though Wanda moved over slightly warmer waters on November 1, it was weakened somewhat due to renewed shear and entrainment of dry air. Nonetheless, the system transitioned into a fully-tropical storm at 12:00 UTC that day, about {{cvt|825|nmi|mi km|round=5|order=out}} west-southwest of the Azores. After turning east, then northeast early on November 2, the storm produced a large burst of convection. Several hours later, however, Wanda entrained more dry air, which degraded the convection. On the next day, now following a northerly track, Wanda generated another burst of convection. This brought the storm over cooler {{cvt|20–21|C|F|order=flip}} waters, where its sustained winds fluctuated between {{cvt|40|and|45|kn|mph km/h|order=out|round=5}} into November 4. Even so, Wanda was able to maintain some convection around its center during this time. Wanda turned southward on November 5, due to a narrow, strengthening ridge to the northwest.

Late on November 6, Wanda began accelerating northeastward, as it began interacting with a larger extratropical cyclone approaching from the west over the northern Atlantic. The resulting wind shear stripped away Wanda's remaining convection, and it became a post-tropical cyclone by 12:00 UTC on November 7, while located about {{cvt|375|nmi|mi km|round=5|order=out}} west-northwest of the Azores. Several hours later, the cyclone merged with an approaching frontal system and dissipated.

Preparations

=Northeastern United States=

More than 100 schools closed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in advance of the nor'easter. The Governors of New Jersey and New York declared states of emergency, with the National Weather Service issuing flash flood watches and flash flood warnings across the Northeastern United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/25/weather/noreaster-preparations/index.html|title=New Jersey and New York issue states of emergency ahead of nor'easter|author=Steve Almasy|work=Cable News Network|date=October 26, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2021}} New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had storm drains cleared and sandbags deployed. Multiple school districts closed across New Jersey, in anticipation of the flooding.{{cite news|url=https://abc7ny.com/noreaster-noreaster-storm-preparations-disaster/11166097/|title=Tri-state region feeling effects of heavy rain, high winds powerful Nor'easter|author=|work=abc7NY|date=October 26, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031083107/https://abc7ny.com/noreaster-noreaster-storm-preparations-disaster/11166097/|archive-date=October 31, 2021|url-status=live}} Phil Murphy, the Governor of New Jersey, declared a state of emergency for the storm early on October 25. As a precaution, schools were shuttered, and flash flood warnings were issued across the state.{{Cite web|author=Jeff Goldman|title=Fierce nor'easter to soak N.J. with up to 6 inches of rain. Flooding, gusty winds in latest update.|url=https://www.nj.com/weather/2021/10/nj-weather-fierce-noreaster-to-soak-state-with-up-to-6-inches-of-rain-flooding-gusty-winds-in-latest-updates.html|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=nj.com|date=October 26, 2021 |language=en}}

Impact

According to Aon Benfield, damage from the nor'easter was estimated at over $200 million across the Northeastern United States. Additionally, two storm-related deaths were reported. At the height of the storm, over 600,000 customers lost power in the Northeastern United States.{{Cite news|title=Major nor'easter clobbering Eastern Seaboard with heavy rain and wind|work=Accuweather|url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/major-noreaster-clobbering-eastern-seaboard-with-heavy-rain-and-wind/1037400|access-date=November 5, 2021|author=Kevin Bryne, Nicole LoBiondo}}

= New Jersey =

New Jersey recorded a rainfall amount of {{Convert|5|in|mm}} by 15:00 UTC on October 27.{{Cite web|author=Monica Garrett, Jason Hanna and Dave Hennen|title=As nor'easter drenches the East Coast, thousands have lost power and high winds threaten more outages|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/weather/noreaster-tuesday/index.html|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=CNN|date=October 26, 2021 }} Many places around the state experienced flash floods as a result of the rain, while the Saddle River overflowed its banks, generating six to seven feet (1.83 to 2.13 meters) of water near the basin.{{Cite web|date=October 26, 2021|title=Roads Flood, Rivers Overflow As Nor'easter Dumps Heavy Rain On New Jersey|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/10/26/new-jersey-noreaster-flood-watch/|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=CBS New York|language=en-US}} The southbound lanes of New Jersey Route 17 closed as a result.{{cite news |title=Flooding Closes Route 17 South In Saddle River: Police |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/flooding-closes-route-17-south-saddle-river-police |access-date=November 16, 2023 |publisher=Patch |date=October 26, 2021}} In Union Beach, more than a dozen water rescues were executed after vehicles were trapped by floodwaters. Trees were also felled by strong winds across the area, with one instance in Morris County killing a woman and wounding another. A tree also fell on a house, causing minor damage.{{Cite news|date=October 27, 2021|title=Nor'easter Topples Trees In New Jersey And New York City, Residents Worried About Others Coming Down|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/10/27/tree-onto-car-in-fort-greene-noreaster/|access-date=November 5, 2021|work=CBS New York|language=en-US}}

= Massachusetts =

Over 500,000 customers lost electricity in Massachusetts, due to the nor'easter.{{Cite web|author=Emily Shapiro and Max Golembo|title=Deadly Nor'easter's heavy rain and wind knocks out power to nearly 600,000|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/noreasters-heavy-rain-wind-knocks-power-600000-customers/story?id=80812039|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=ABC News|language=en}} A peak wind gust of {{convert|113|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was recorded in Truro, along with {{convert|103|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Duxbury, and {{convert|97|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in Wellfleet.{{cite news|url=https://breakingweather.net/powerful-noreaster-delivers-damaging-winds-and-heavy-rain-to-new-england-and-beyond/|title=Powerful Nor'easter Delivers Damaging Winds and Heavy Rain to New England and Beyond|work=BreakingWeather|date=October 28, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}{{cite report|url=https://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base_dyn.cgi?product=&past=1&stn=F6034&unit=0&time=LOCAL&day1=27&month1=10&year1=2021&hour1=14|title=Weather Conditions for F6034|publisher=University of Utah|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}{{cite tweet|user=WeatherFlowCHAS|author=Shea Gibson|url=https://twitter.com/WeatherFlowCHAS/status/1453309217000116228|number=1453309217000116228|title=Wow! Strongest gusts at our sensors: Duxbury, MA: 103mph at 5:15AM. Height = 40ft AGL. Wellfleet, MA: 92mph at 4:10AM. Height = 20ft AGL, 88ft ASL. Scituate, MA: 97mph at 5:37AM. Height = 34ft AGL. Block Island Jetty, RI: 85mph. Height = 35ft AGL/ASL. @NWSBoston @NWSNewYorkNY|publisher=Twitter|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}} Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts reported a wind gust to {{convert|94|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and Scituate reported a gust of {{convert|87|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Unofficial wind gusts of 110 mph in Wellfleet and 107 mph in Provincetown were recorded at exposed coastal locations.{{cite report|url=

https://marepam.org/events/oct2021/|title=October 2021 Nor'easter Special Wind Reconnaissance Mission|publisher=Maravelias Extreme Performance Anemometry Mesonet (MAREPAM)|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}{{cite report|url=

https://marepam.org/events/oct2021/XMRPMSPECI10262100_FullData.pdf|title=Full tabular data for XMRPMSPECI10262100 (Wellfleet, MA)|publisher=Maravelias Extreme Performance Anemometry Mesonet (MAREPAM)|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}} The system also brought heavy rainfall to the state, causing flooding. Its subsequent wind gusts felled trees, blocking several roadways and causing the widespread power outage. Small boats were also washed ashore by the storm, and the nor'easter brought strong seas to the state. Some homes were also damaged as trees fell on them.{{Cite web|title=Photos: See the aftermath of Massachusetts' first nor'easter of the season|author=Mihiro Shimano and Mia McCarthy|url=https://www.boston.com/news/weather/2021/10/27/photo-scenes-from-first-noreaster/|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=www.boston.com|language=en-US}} A plane was damaged at the New Bedford Regional Airport after being blown off the runway. In Hingham, a large tree brought down wires. Brockton also received over 300 calls for help, along with its mayor declaring a state of emergency starting on October 27. Shelters were also opened to accommodate potential evacuees. Ferry services were affected, with very restricted operations permitted.{{Cite web|author=John R. Ellement, Martin Finucane, Jeremy C. Fox, Colleen Cronin, Travis Andersen, Emily Sweeney, Tonya Alanez, Andrew Brinker, Julia Carlin, Jenna Russell and Shannon Larson|title='If you need to go out, be careful': After nor'easter blasts coast, thousands may wait days for electricity|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/27/metro/power-outages-reach-387000-schools-closing-delays-during-morning-commute-storm-with-wind-gusts-80-miles-an-hour-one-gust-hit-94-miles-an-hour/|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=BostonGlobe.com|language=en-US}}

=New York=

In New York State, the body of a missing kayaker was found, after he tried to cross Long Island Sound ahead of the nor'easter.{{cite news|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/weather/2021/10/25/noreaster-bomb-cyclone-could-hit-new-york/8546406002/|title=UPDATE: Body of missing Mamaroneck kayaker found as nor'easter whips through New York|author1=Matt Spillane|author2=Eduardo Cuevas|work=Lohud|date=October 27, 2021|accessdate=November 5, 2021}} A flash flood emergency was issued for the Finger Lakes region of New York. Delaware, Otsego, and Sullivan counties experienced flooding. Peak winds of {{convert|52|mph|kph|abbr=on}} and {{convert|60|mph|kph|abbr=on}} were recorded in New York State and Connecticut, respectively. The storm dropped a maximum total of {{convert|8.69|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain in Baiting Hollow, New York. Other daily rainfall records were set in Islip, New York at {{convert|4.47|in|mm}}, JFK Airport at {{convert|3.24|in|mm}}, and Bridgeport, Connecticut at {{convert|2.87|in|mm}}.{{cite news |title=How much rain did NY, NJ, CT get from nor'easter? |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/how-much-rain-did-noreaster-bring-to-tristate |access-date=July 4, 2021 |publisher=FOX5NY |date=October 27, 2021}} Portions of the Bronx River Parkway closed due to the flooding,[https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/noreaster-westchester-county-bronx-river-parkway-saw-mill-parkway-mamaroneck-storm-watch/#app Storm Wreaks Havoc On Westchester County Parkways, But Oft-Impacted Mamaroneck Escapes Mostly Unscathed], CBS News, October 26, 2021 and the Staten Island Railway was suspended for 3 hours between Huguenot and Tottenville.[https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/noreaster-mta-flood-watch/ Rain Leaks Into Rockefeller Center Station, Riders Call On MTA To Invest In Subway Station Upgrades], CBS News, October 26, 2021