Sandy morphing from hurricane to hybrid, with less intense punch, but broader swath of damage
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hurricane Sandy as it moved toward land Monday was beginning to morph from hurricane into hybrid storm. The change signals a more diffuse storm that will be bigger and sloppier.
National Hurricane Center Director Rick Knabb said Sandy was beginning to lose its tropical nature as it merges with a cold weather system that is already dumping snow in West Virginia.
Sandy has been among the largest-sized hurricanes. Meteorologist Jeff Masters said that as a hybrid, Sandy's damage will be even wider. But it will be less intense.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Its force will extend as far as Chicago, where the National Weather Service already has issued high wind warnings and a lakeshore flood warning.