United States hit by unusual October snowstorm

It’s fall with Halloween barely a couple of days away, certainly not the time when you expect to be hit by severe blizzards. Yet on Saturday, most part of the North-Eastern United States was caught unaware as it witnessed a violent snowstorm all the way from Virginia to Maine. Nicknamed “snowtober,” for snow in October, the raging blizzard is reported to have emptied thick mass of ice, somewhere as deep as up to 30 cm.

Nearly 1.8 million people from Pennsylvania to New England were forced to stay indoors without electricity. Instead of spending the weekend in leisurely activities, people were reported stocking up their emergency supplies. Such was the condition in Washington that the White House had to suspend their Halloween party. By evening, the violent storm had gathered speed and changed into a violent Northeaster with wind speed of about 60 miles per hour.

Already since June 1st this year, the United States has been struck by 18 tropical storms coupled with 3-6 big hurricanes. October's Northeaster is a type that is usually seen in the middle of winter or end of autumn, certainly not before Halloween. What made the October’s snowstorm particularly interesting is the coming together of three unusual factors – high wind speed, heavy snow and trees that are in their near-green foliage.

As of now, people are anticipating very chilly Halloween. But, there’s a silver lining – this means early start of skiing season. Exciting! Isn’t it?