Winter Weather in New Jersey, December 27 to 28, 1997

A low pressure system developed over the South Carolina coastal waters the night of the 26th and move rapidly northeast and farther offshore during the 27th. This low spread a swath of light snow across much of New Jersey. Snow began falling during the morning on the 27th and ended by midnight in all areas. The snow was mixed with rain at times across southern New Jersey, especially near Delaware Bay and the coast. The unseasonably warm weather during December limited snowfall accumulations to grassy areas during the daylight hours, although snow did start to stick to all surfaces the evening of the 27th. Accumulations averaged 1 to 3 inches. Smaller accumulations occurred along the immediate coast and the counties bordering Delaware Bay. The heaviest snow occurred in two bands: from Hunterdon to Morris Counties and from western Atlantic County through southeastern Burlington County and Southern Ocean County. Skies cleared toward the morning of the 28th and untreated roads were slippery. Accumulations included 3.5 inches in Estell Manor (Atlantic County), 3 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport, Chatham and Marcella (both in Morris County), 2.6 inches in Wertsville (Hunterdon County), 2.3 inches in Hightstown (Mercer County), 2 inches in Newton (Sussex County) and 1.8 inches in Atsion (Burlington County).