Significant severe weather and heavy rainfall is likely from the central and southern Plains into the the Ozarks today into tonight. Tornadoes, potentially strong to intense, large hail and damaging winds are possible. Critical fire weather including gusty winds and low humidity will continue today over parts of Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and the central valley of California. Read More >
The images below are courtesy of Bob Wanton, retired forecaster of NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly.
The images below are satellite images of the barrier island near Mantoloking where surge from the storm created two new inlets. The first image was taken March 18, 2007. The second is from October 31, 2012, two days after Sandy made landfall. Additional before and after satellite images can be found here: https://geodesy.noaa.gov/web/news/NGS_Responds_to_Hurricane_Sandy.shtml
Through the 2012 hurricane season, hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings were discontinued once a storm transitioned to a post-tropical storm (that is to say, the storm takes on characteristics of low pressure systems that are more typically found in mid latitudes, including the Mid Atlantic). With Sandy, this transition occurred just a few hours before it made landfall in our region; however, non-tropical warnings were already in effect. Surveys showed that this caused confusion among many people in our area and led some people to believe the storm had significantly weakened. As a direct result of this storm, the policy was changed by the next year. Now if a tropical system transitions to a post-tropical storm, the hurricane or tropical storm watches and warnings will continue for areas affected.
NWS Upton, NY web story on the 5 year anniversary
NWS National Hurricane Center official report on Sandy