Nor’easters, with their heavy precipitation and strong winds, pose significant threats to cities along the East Coast, often leading to devastating impacts. A new study found that the strongest nor’easters are becoming stronger, with both the maximum wind speeds of the most intense (>66th percentile) nor’easters and hourly precipitation rates increasing since 1940, suggesting an additional contribution to coastal risk in a warming world. The researchers said such upsurges have implications for coastal cities and shorelines, increasing the risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Nor’easters, which typically form between September and April, are coastal extratropical cyclones that feed upon temperature contrast between cold Artic air and warmer, most air from the Atlantic Ocean, causing them to intensify along the East Coast. With central pressures that sometimes rival those of tropical cyclones, they represent a significant coastal hazard and are often associated with strong winds, heavy snowfall, disruption, and damage. 

However, researchers believe fewer nor’easters will occur in a warmer world, because the Arctic is heating up faster than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere meaning less of a temperature contrast exists to fuel the storms. What this new study sheds light on is what will happen to the intensity of these storms, which have been understudied.

The researchers said nor’easters have historically received far less attention than tropical cyclones, largely due to challenges in documenting and categorizing these storms combined with the relatively short observational record.

Keeping up with industry changes isn’t easy, but ISSA Show North America 2025­ makes it possible. The show takes place Nov. 10-13 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The education program kicks off Monday morning and runs through Thursday. You can choose from a variety of full-day or half-day workshops or certification courses, such as:

• IEHA’s Certified Environmental Services Executive (CESE)/ Registered Environmental Services Executive (RESE) credential: This three-day program is ideal for facility service professionals in the healthcare and hospitality sector of the cleaning industry.
• IEHA’s Master Environmental Services Registered Executive (MESRE)/Master Environmental Services Certified Executive (MESCE) credential: This two-day master’s program is designed for elite members who are committed to continuous improvement and professionalism in their field.
• ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Certification Expert (CCE) credential: This workshop is for professionals in the industrial, commercial, residential, and public venue cleaning industry who want to learn the principles of effective cleaning management.
• Certified Workloading Specialist (CWS) program: Taught in Spanish, this updated course offers a workloading strategy with the ability to rebuild today’s cleaning culture toward one of efficiency, innovation, balanced workload, and high-performance thinking.
• BSCAI’s Bidding & Estimating Seminars: Held in conjunction with the ISSA Show, the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI’s) Contracting Success 2025 show features two Bidding and Estimating Seminars. The 101-level seminar is designed for leaders and sales professionals who are ready to transition from residential and specialty cleaning clients to commercial janitorial customers. The 201-level seminar is intended for individuals seeking to enhance their best practices and elevate their skills to the next level.