Cold, dry arctic air from Canada pushes south and meets warm, moist air from the Gulf Stream over the Atlantic Ocean.
Some nor'easters undergo "bombogenesis" (becoming a " bomb cyclone "), where pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours, leading to rapid intensification. Core Characteristics What Is a Nor'easter? | NESDIS - NOAA 3. Nor'easter
Nor'easters thrive on the extreme temperature contrast between two air masses. Cold, dry arctic air from Canada pushes south
A is a powerful macro-scale extratropical cyclone that tracks along the East Coast of North America. It is defined by its strong winds blowing from the northeast, which result from a low-pressure system moving northward along the coast. While they can occur year-round, these storms are most frequent and intense between September and April, often bringing heavy snow, torrential rain, and hurricane-force winds to the heavily populated I-95 corridor. Formation Mechanics | NESDIS - NOAA Nor'easters thrive on the
The polar and tropical jet streams often merge, providing additional energy to the system.
This temperature gradient creates instability, fueling a low-pressure center that intensifies as it moves toward New England and the Canadian Maritimes.