1. The problem states that the temperature was initially 40 degrees below zero and then dropped to 54 degrees below zero. 2. We need to find the integer that describes the new temperature after the drop. 3. Temperatures below zero are represented as negative integers. So, 40 degrees below zero is $-40$ and 54 degrees below zero is $-54$. 4. The new temperature is simply the integer $-54$ because it dropped to 54 degrees below zero. 5. Therefore, the integer describing the new temperature is $-54$. Final answer: $-54$