As a nor'easter makes its way along the U.S. East Coast, many in the storm's path will be turning to Twitter for updates, as they did during the recent superstorm, Sandy. Twitter often reports events faster than mainstream media, plus it's a fun way to get the news.
As many saw during Sandy, however, social media can quickly spread false rumors and images. To help you get a solid start, we've collected some of the best Twitter accounts to follow for quick, reliable, basic information on the upcoming nor'easter, which is expected to bring strong winds and a mixture of snow and rain to the East Coast today (Nov. 7) and tomorrow.
Capital Weather Gang, @capitalweather
Who they are: Weather bloggers for the Washington Post
Why they're worth following: Timely updates on both what's happening and what's expected to come. The Weather Gang mostly covers Washington, D.C., but will answer questions about other East Coast areas as well.
PM Update: Evening sprinkle or snowflake possible; slight warming tomorrow wapo.st/Z194Dj— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) November 7, 2012
Dan Satterfield, @wildweatherdan
Who he is: Chief meteorologist for a CBS affiliate in Maryland
Why he's worth following: Forecasts, warnings, plus a pleasing Twitter handle
Winds at Lewes gusting to 40 mph now. Tide levels about 2 feet above normal. They will reach 3 feet at high tide later tonight.— Dan Satterfield (@wildweatherdan) November 7, 2012
Brian McNoldy, @BMcNoldy
Who he is: A tropical cyclone researcher at the University of Miami
Why he's worth following: McNoldy tweets mostly about hurricanes and tropical storms, but he does write about other major storm forecasts. He also links to explanations of the science behind storms.
Comparing the Winds of #Sandy and #Katrina : Image of the Day earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?… #NASA— Brian McNoldy (@BMcNoldy) November 6, 2012
Weather Channel staff Mike Bettes (@TWCMikeBettes), Jim Cantore (@JimCantore), @weatherchannel and @TWCBreaking
Why they're worth following: We won't take sides in this morning's scuffle between the Weather Channel and the National Weather Service, which told its staff to ignore the news station's attempt to give today's nor'easter a name. The Weather Channel tweeters provide frequent forecasts, weather advisories and weather-related news from around the world.
2.0" in Bayside, Queens. Yes, that's snow. Officially just a trace at Central Park, and a trace to 0.5" most other parts of #NYC. #Athena— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) November 7, 2012
NWS, @usNWSgov
Who they are: The National Weather Service
Why they're worth following: Forecasts straight from the source. The Weather Channel and other news stations use National Weather Service-provided data in their reporting. In addition, the National Weather Service has Twitter accounts for specific U.S. cities and regions, such as New York (@NWSNewYorkNY). Find a list among NWS's followed accounts.
Updated storm total snow amount graphic: ow.ly/i/16r4V— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) November 7, 2012
Andrea Thompson, @AndreaTOAP
Who she is: Managing editor of OurAmazingPlanet, a sister site of TechNewsDaily
Why she's worth following: Thompson tweets forecasts, stories about the science of storms and weather-related news for New York City, where OurAmazingPlanet and TechNewsDaily are based.
The skylights in our office appear to be blacked out from the layer of snow on them. #nycwx— Andrea Thompson (@AndreaTOAP) November 7, 2012