Author Archives: Philip Orton

Rain-Wind-Tide Flooding Trifecta

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Philip Orton

Though it will in no way compare to the ongoing flooding problems in other regions of our continent, we’ll likely be hearing about our own sogginess at some flood-prone parts of the region from now through Thursday.  Any flooding that … Continue reading →

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Blanket of Fog Rolls out over NYC

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Philip Orton

A cold, damp blanket of fog snuffed out our heavenly 70+ degree afternoon today in New York City, to the thrill of some and disgust of others, mainly depending on who was wearing shorts-and-tees.  The temperature at Kennedy Airport was … Continue reading →

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Rain- and Wind-Driven Coastal Flooding

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Philip Orton

I’ve been receiving automated notifications on coastal flooding from the Storm Surge Warning System today.  The nor’easter that is hitting us is packing 20-40 mile per hour winds, and driving water against our shorelines.  Water levels are expected to peak … Continue reading →

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Hudson River or Estuary? (you may be surprised)

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Philip Orton

An estuary is defined as a semi-enclosed body of brackish water – a mixture of salty and fresh water.  So strictly speaking, the Hudson by Manhattan and northward past the Tappan Zee is normally an estuary and typically has more … Continue reading →

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Can NYC Beaches get Swallowed by the Sea in a Storm?

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Philip Orton

There’s some recent alarming news yet simultaneously comforting news for those in the New York City region concerned about coastal flooding.  On one hand, two geologists have assembled a 2000-year record of hurricane storm surges that washed over the area’s … Continue reading →

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New York Harbor Seals

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Philip Orton

I went on an amazing annual boat tour on Saturday, put on by the Audubon Society, called Winter Seals and Water Birds.  About a hundred or so participants cruised out of South Street Seaport on a Water Taxi, past Red … Continue reading →

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The NYC Storm Surge Threat

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Philip Orton

New York City is highly vulnerable to a hurricane strike due to its location near the coast where winds and storm surges are usually at their maximum.  On one hand, we are fortunate that direct hurricane strikes are extremely rare … Continue reading →

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The Big Stink: II. Scents and the Weather

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Philip Orton

Weather conditions can promote or inhibit bad smells in an urban area.  Warm weather can increase bacterial decomposition of organic matter, which under certain conditions can produce sulfurous smells – this is why it often reeks when you walk past … Continue reading →

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The Big Stink: I. Scents and the City

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Philip Orton

Four years ago, on the morning of Monday, January 8th, 2007, a mysterious foul odor settled upon New York City and surrounding regions, causing confusion, consternation and even building evacuations in some cases.  Many were concerned it might be dangerous … Continue reading →

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The Hudson’s 20-foot Breaking Waves

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Philip Orton

The Hudson takes on a tremendous load of pollutants due to its proximity to New York City, yet typically disperses these pollutants without severe environmental degradation. Through field deployments on the Hudson, we have observed vigorous turbulent mixing driven by … Continue reading →

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