Abstract ATM-9713572 DeGaetano, Arthur T. Cornell University Title: An Empirical and Dynamical Evaluation of the Interannual Variability of East Coast Winter Storms This proposal aims to understand the temporal variability of east coast winter storms and identify the climatological mechanisms that influence the frequency and severity of these storm systems, AN objective climatology of east coast winter storms will be developed using automated procedure. Frequency, year to year variability, strength and possibly impacts of these storms will be studied. Because the U.S. east coast is heavily populated, the successful completion of this work could lead to large societal benefits.