Surfers Brave Bomb Cyclone Hernando for Epic Waves on East Coast

Powerful winter storm creates ideal conditions for daring wave riders

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Winter Storm Hernando, a powerful 'bomb cyclone,' recently slammed the U.S. East Coast, bringing widespread disruption. However, a dedicated group of surfers saw the storm as an opportunity, braving the frigid waters to ride the exceptional waves generated by the intense low-pressure system and strong winds.

Why it matters

Nor'easters and bomb cyclones are known to produce significant swell, creating ideal conditions for storm surfing. While these extreme weather events can be disruptive, they also draw a community of daring surfers who seek out the biggest and most challenging waves. This raises questions about the future of the sport as climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of such storms.

The details

The storm created waves that reached impressive heights, with a buoy reading of 19 feet at 11 seconds recorded. This swell, combined with offshore winds, produced 'cranking barrels' that attracted surfers like Ben Gravy to the frigid waters of New Jersey. In New York, surfers also took advantage of the conditions, with one local surfer describing the waves as 'three-to-four-feet with a nice offshore wind'.

  • Winter Storm Hernando recently slammed the U.S. East Coast.

The players

Ben Gravy

A well-known figure in the storm-surfing community who braved the conditions during Winter Storm Hernando.

New Jersey surfers

A group of dedicated surfers who took advantage of the exceptional waves generated by the bomb cyclone.

New York surfers

Surfers in New York also surfed the waves created by the nor'easter.

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What they’re saying

“We expected snow & we expected waves, but we had no way of knowing that we were going to wake up to a 19ft @ 11 second buoy reading & these type of extreme bomb cyclone conditions.”

— Ben Gravy (Newsy-Today.com)

“The waves were three-to-four-feet with a nice offshore wind.”

— Local New York surfer (Newsy-Today.com)

What’s next

Climate scientists will continue to study the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like bomb cyclones, which could have implications for the future of storm surfing.

The takeaway

The dedication and passion of storm surfers who brave the dangerous conditions created by powerful winter storms like Hernando highlights the allure of riding the biggest and most challenging waves, even in the face of significant risks.