Satellite image of the Nor’easter storm over the northeastern U.S. // Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As Hofstra students began returning to campus during the last week of January, many encountered flight cancellations, delayed commutes, and geared up for a potentially dangerous storm.
Thirty-six hour, broader time lapse shows the fluid dynamics a bit better. pic.twitter.com/80C27WHjCb
— Dakota Smith (@weatherdak) January 29, 2022
Many warnings were issued concerning a nor’easter storm due to a growing snowstorm that was predicted to hit the mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England regions. Within New York, blizzard warnings were issued as Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency on Friday, Jan. 28. Snowfall in New York City was predicted to amount to 10 inches, with 16 inches expected on Long Island, according to the New York Times. While other areas in Nassau County received more than a foot of snow, Hempstead received less than six inches.
The storm that occurred was identified as a nor’easter bomb cyclone. “[A nor’easter] brings winds from the northeast direction to us here in New York and Long Island when it strikes and also moves to the Northeast, sort of parallel to the U.S., mid-Atlantic and northeast coast,” explained Dr. Jase Bernhardt, assistant professor of geology, environment and sustainability at Hofstra University.
The classification of the nor’easter storm being a bomb cyclone resulted from the rapid decrease of the air pressure over 24 hours. “If a storm is considered a bomb cyclone, that means it’s strengthening very rapidly and will probably bring significant impacts,” Bernhardt said.
Although eastern Long Island suffered from the storm’s significant impact, western Long Island, including New York City, did not suffer from extreme weather conditions.
“We weren’t quite in that jackpot zone of 2-plus feet of snow … Also, the winds here weren’t that bad because the storm was strengthening a bit further away from us,” Bernhardt said.
Amid the concern brought by the nor’easter storm at the beginning of the second semester, Hofstra adopted a new school closure policy. Due to the lack of instruction that occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many New York state schools have canceled snow days to recover. Traditional snow days would result in a suspension of university activities; however, the new policy emailed to students stated that Hofstra would move to an online forum and conduct classes or meetings through Zoom.
“When campus closures occur because of snow or other inclement weather, instructors may hold classes remotely. The decision to do so is left to the discretion of each professor and will be communicated to you in a timely manner,” announced the university in the new policy.
Though many students are content with the new policy, others are still concerned with the implications of virtual learning.
“I was not a big fan of virtual learning,” said Vincent Capone, a freshman electrical engineering major. “It [is] harder for me to focus for some of my classes.”
Currently, the university has measures in place for students facing difficulties that may hinder virtual class attendance and urge students to communicate with their instructors. Syeda Aqsa Ali Qadri, a pre-physician assistant studies major, contends that snow days do not need to be suspended entirely.
“Snow days give students a chance to complete assignments and study on their own,” Qadri said.
Additionally, winter can be a difficult time for students, even without the major weather events. A lack of sunshine caused by weather conditions can lead to seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression.
“Studies have found that our internal clocks naturally follow the day and night cycle,” said Mark Serper, professor of psychology at Hofstra.
Hormones and other neurochemicals are attuned to this cycle. According to Serper, a common example is that the body will produce melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone and neurotransmitter that regulates a person’s mood, during the evening while reducing the amount of serotonin.
“The nor’easter and other cloudy or stormy days reduce our sun exposure and certainly affect serotonin levels, as well as the production and release of other neurohormones,” Serper said. “[This effect may] increase sadness in those who are vulnerable.”
The symptoms of seasonal depression include low energy, sleeping longer hours, increased weight or appetite, feeling sluggish, difficulty concentrating, feeling hopeless, unworthy or guilty and losing interest in hobbies or activities. Additionally, feeling depressed daily or thoughts of suicide or death are also common symptoms, according to Serper.
“Students may be spending more time alone or on social media as a result [of seasonal depression] and this can lead to increased feelings of sadness or loneliness,” said Laura Simon-Pearson, a PhD student in clinical psychology.
Students may not only need the snow days to academically recuperate but also as a self-care day. Nevertheless, Simon-Pearson is happy to remind students that there is good news: “Spring is right around the corner now!’’