Final answer:
The writer uses figurative language, specifically personification and simile, to describe shaking hands with someone as cold and uninviting as a northeast storm, and thereby expresses their discomfort in the interaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence in question appears to be a figurative expression drawn from the realm of literary device frequently used in English literature--namely, personification and simile. By saying "When I clasped their frosty fingertips, it seemed as if I were shaking hands with a northeast storm", the author is likely attempting to convey a cold, chilling sensation from touching the person's hand, perhaps indicating a lack of warmth or affection or describing a person who is emotionally distant. The term 'northeast storm' is often associated with extreme cold and harsh conditions, further emphasizing the discomfort the author feels in this interaction.
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