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Volume 115, Issue 1
Ice Flights
The eastern section of District 5NR experienced a triple-whammy of
unique winter-weather conditions in one day. - A Blizzard accompanied by
a Bomb Cyclone, followed by a prolonged Polar Vortex: 
Official
blizzard criteria is 35+ mph wind gusts held visibility at or below a quarter
-mile for 3+ consecutive hours.
Cyclone Bomb or Bomb Cyclone
loosely defined is an extratropical cyclone that rapidly intensifies over a
short period of time. Hurricanes are a type of cyclone, but any strong
storm where winds spiral around a well-defined center fits the criteria.
A Polar Vortex is a persistent, large-scale, low pressure zone that rotates
counter-clockwise at the North Pole that extended into North America
resulting in a record-breaking freeze as relentless waves of cold air swept
down from the high latitudes.
The Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay captain of the port (COTP) set ice
condition 3, and cautions mariners to be aware of ice formation on the
Delaware Bay and its tributaries. Ice condition 3 is set when weather
conditions are favorable for the formation of ice in navigable waters. The
status and extent of these restrictions are continuously evaluated, as ice
condition reports are received and assessed.
Specific Coast Guard Auxiliary units and assigned Auxiliary Air patrols are
assigned to report observed ice conditions to the Coast Guard Sector
Delaware Bay command center.
by Joseph Giannattasio
Photos taken by
Judy Redlawsk