Hurricane Sandy

The potential for a storm was discussed for weeks before Sandy developed into a tropical storm (TS) on October 22, 2012 in the southern Caribbean Sea. Models suggested a tropical system would appear the week before Halloween, and Sandy did not disappoint. Sandy strengthened into a category one hurricane on October 24, just two months after Jamaica celebrated their 50-year Independence. Sandy strengthened after she exited Jamaica and hit Cuba as a strong Cat-2, remaining a Cat-2 through much of the Bahamas. Sandy exited the Bahamas as a weak Cat-1 and moved north, parallel to the US coast. She took a western turn, moving over the Gulf Stream, strengthening her Cat-1 status before making landfall in New Jersey. Sandy was a huge storm, affecting large areas of land and sea. Her effects can be seen in the sea surface temperature and ocean heat content figures below. Click on any figure below to enlarge.

Sea Surface Temperature
Pre-Storm	Post-Storm
Ocean Heat Content
Pre-Storm	Post-Storm
Depth of 20oC Isotherm
Pre-Storm	Post-Storm