Birkel speaks with NYT on extreme January storms on Maine’s coast
The New York Times interviewed Sean Birkel, Maine state climatologist and assistant research professor with the Climate Change Institute, on powerful storms that hit Stonington, Maine, in January. According to the article, Maine towns — which typically experience winter nor’easters with winds that blow water away from them — were caught off guard by the southeasterly winds that prevailed in both January storms. These winds drove the ocean toward the land, increasing flooding and damage. Birkel said it was still unclear if those types of storms will become more common.