January 2017 Nor'Easter Hits the Jetties

January 22 to 24 2017 saw a nor'easter storm hit the New England bring rain, sleet, snow, and high winds. The Merrimack River Coast Guard station moved its cutters to the Cape Ann station for the duration of the storm and issued warnings advising boats to avoid the mouth of the Merrimack River during the storm and advising storm watchers to stay off the jetties and beaches. I heeded the warnings. I managed to get "day before" and "day after" photos and video footage. It is not as dramatic as during the storm itself but gives you a sense for the power of the ocean.

The storm hit at astronomical low tide cycle which minimize coastal damage. Even at that the waves were breaking over the jetty at high tide on the day after. The winds had shifted on the day after and spray from the waves was being blown in the opposite direction of the waves. It creates a neat effect and great photo opportunity.

I was cautious and filmed the action on the day after from the parking lot at Salisbury Beach State Reservation and boardwalk observation platform at the top of the dunes.

DAY BEFORE PHOTOS

The storm system was pushing and dark gray clouds made for foreboding feeling. These photos were taken at low tide. The waves were not particularly high but they were coming in very closely spaced creating a lot of white caps at they crested.

DAY AFTER PHOTOS

  

Waves crashing over the north jetty. The gulls  were feasting on the fish being brought to the surface by the rough surf. You can see gulls feeding in the video on both side of the north jetty.

Waves crashing near the south jetty on Plum Island. The white mist is from the wind blowing the spray backwards out to sea.

 

Wave action in the Merrimack River.

Three photos from the top of the observation platform at the end of boardwalk.

"Double Wave" Two waves very close to each other cresting at the same time.

4 Minute Video