Blizzard and Heavy Snow in New Jersey, December 26 to 27, 2010

Name: Blizzard and Heavy Snow in New Jersey, December 26 to 27, 2010
Start: 2010-12-26T07:00
End: 2010-12-27T21:30
Location: New Jersey

December 26 to 27, 2010 · NWS PHI · 29 events in 21 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 29 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 29

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

A major and for parts of eastern New Jersey record breaking winter storm and blizzard affected the state on Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th. Snowfall averaged around two feet for the shore counties as well as Middlesex and Morris Counties in New Jersey with drifts often at least twice that high. Snowfall across southwest New Jersey averaged around one foot and in northwest New Jersey around six inches. A state of emergency was declared in New Jersey. Intermittent light snow fell across southeast New Jersey prior to dawn on the 26th, but the winter storm associated snow started to spread into the area between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. EST on the 26th. The snow backed northwest into the state and reached the central AND southwest part of the state between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. EST, the Raritan and Passaic Basins between 11 a.m. and Noon EST and throughout Sussex County by 1 p.m. EST on the 26th. Heavier snow bands started moving into the southeast part of the state during the middle of the morning on the 26th and they expanded and moved northwestward during the afternoon. As the afternoon progressed, winds also increased and blizzard conditions occurred across eastern New Jersey from Atlantic County northward. The heavy snow bands and blizzard conditions persisted through the evening across east central New Jersey. Snowfall rates under these bands reached two to three inches per hour. The heavy snow bands weakened during the first couple of hours on the 27th and the snow itself ended around 7 a.m. EST. Strong to high winds continued to hamper snow plow operations through the 27th. President Barack Obama approved federal disaster reimbursement related to the winter storm and blizzard in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Somerset Counties.

Senate President Steven Sweeney declared a State of Emergency for New Jersey on the evening of the 26th. It was lifted at 6 p.m. EST on the 27th. Several county and local municipalities also declared states of emergencies or snow emergencies. A total travel ban was in effect in Atlantic County. Bus service was suspended throughout the state as of 830 p.m. EST on the 26th and did not resume until the 28th. While the overall number of accidents were low, about 2,300 motorists were stranded on average for 10 to 12 hours. The Red Cross opened shelters in the eastern part of the state. In addition, stranded motorists used town halls, rest stops and movie theaters as shelters. Rail service ran on an enhanced weekend schedule on the 27th. State offices were closed on the 27th. Many county offices were also closed on the 27th as were all courthouses in the southeastern part of the state. Shopping malls were either closed or had delayed openings on the 27th. Malls in Monmouth County did not open until the 28th at the earliest. The Sea Streak Manhattan Ferry service from Monmouth County ran on a modified schedule on the 27th. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry cancelled all Delaware Bay crossings before 3 p.m. EST on the 27th. Athletic competitions were either postponed or cancelled. Blood supplies ran low. Trash schedules were delayed about a day and recycling schedules were delayed up to one week.

Monmouth County was one of the most affected counties by the blizzard as many roadways were closed and remained closed through the 27th because of drifting. An eleven mile stretch of New Jersey State Route 18 remained closed for a couple of days. The weight of the snow caused a roof collapse at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck. An overturned vehicle in Tinton Falls resulted in an injury. A train struck an abandoned vehicle in Red Bank, but no injuries were closed. Major roadways such as Interstate 195 (8 foot drifts) and New Jersey State Routes 18, 35, 36, 66 and 138 were closed into the 27th. Long Branch emergency personnel alone responded to about 700 calls. In Ocean County, about 150 vehicles were disabled in Toms River. In Middlesex County, about fifty vehicles were abandoned in South Brunswick. In Atlantic County, all departures from Atlantic City International Airport were cancelled on the 26th. The Route 52 Bridge between Somers Point and Ocean City in Cape May County was closed for about 24 hours until 11 a.m. EST on the 27th. The Garden State Parkway was closed in Egg Harbor Township because of a jack-knifed tractor-trailer. On the plus side, because people were trapped, there was a strong occupancy rate at the casinos. Cape May County suspended all tolls on bridges. A travel ban was in effect in Millville (Cumberland County). One of the worst reported accidents was a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 295 in Columbus in Burlington County.

The snowfall at Atlantic City International Airport was a record breaking 20.1 inches. This was a new single snowstorm record surpassing the previous record of 20.0 inches during the President's Day II snowstorm of February 16 to 17 in 2003.

Other representative snowfall included (alphabetically by county name) in Atlantic County, 20.0 inches in Absecon, 16.5 inches in Estell Manor and 16.3 inches in Folsom; in Burlington County, 19.0 inches in Chesterfield, 16.5 inches in Tabernacle, 10.0 inches in Maple Shade and 9.2 inches in Medford; in Camden County 12.0 inches in Pennsauken, 10.2 inches in Somerdale and 9.8 inches in Berlin; in Cape May County 25.0 inches in Eldora, 21.0 inches in North Cape May and 15.0 inches in Woodbine; in Cumberland County, 18.7 inches in Vineland, 11.5 inches in Cedarville and 8.1 inches in Upper Deerfield, in Gloucester County 13.5 inches in Malaga and 12.0 inches in Swedesboro; in Hunterdon County 6.0 inches in Wertsville, 4.5 inches in Flemington and 4.0 inches in Lebanon; in Mercer County, 16.0 inches in Princeton Junction, 13.5 inches in Hamilton Square and 10.1 inches in Ewing; in Middlesex County, 25.0 inches in Edison, 23.2 inches in Cheesequake and 19.5 inches in New Brunswick; in Monmouth County 25.0 inches in Colts Neck, 24.0 inches in Neptune, 22.0 inches in Red Bank and 20.0 inches in Holmdel; in Morris County 29.0 inches in Lincoln Park, 16.0 inches in Boonton, 12.8 inches in Jefferson and 11.0 inches in Marcella; in Ocean County 30.0 inches in Brick, 26.0 inches in Bayville, 22.0 inches in Berkeley, 21.0 inches in Manahawkin and 17.0 inches in Whiting; in Salem County, 4.8 inches in Woodstown; in Somerset County 16.5 inches in Hillsborough, 13.2 inches in Millstone, 8.6 inches in Branchburg and 7.1 inches in Bridgewater; in Sussex County 8.0 inches in Vernon, 7.0 inches in Newton, 6.0 inches in Sussex and Wantage and 5.0 inches in Lafayette and in Warren County 7.0 inches in Hackettstown, 4.1 inches in Washington, 3.5 inches in Phillipsburg and 3.0 inches in Blairstown.

The onshore flow preceding the passage of the low pressure system caused minor tidal flooding around the time of the early afternoon high tide on the 26th in Cape May County and the overnight high tide on the 26th from Atlantic County northward. At Cape May (Cape May County), the high tide just reached the minor tidal flooding level of 6.7 feet above mean lower low water. At Atlantic City (Atlantic County), the high tide reached 6.55 feet above mean lower low water. Minor tidal flooding starts at 6.0 feet above mean lower low water. At Sandy Hook (Monmouth County), the high tide reached 7.13 feet above mean lower low water. Minor tidal flooding starts at 6.7 feet above mean lower low water.

The low pressure system responsible for the winter storm entered the United States in southern California on December 22nd. It moved across the southern Rockies and reached the northern Gulf of Mexico on Christmas Day. It was still a relatively weak low pressure system, but as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico, it started to strengthen. At 7 p.m. EST on the 25th, the low had deepened to 1004 millibars in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. From there, the low made a turn to the northeast while the intensification process increased. At 1 a.m. EST on the 26th, it was a 1001 millibar low, just east of Georgia, at 7 a.m. EST on the 26th a 992 millibar low just east of Wilmington, North Carolina and at 1 p.m. EST on the 26th a 986 millibar low about 100 miles east of Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the next six hours as the upper level support neared, the low's intensification rate peaked and at 7 p.m. EST on the 26th, the surface pressure fell to 972 millibars as it passed about 100 miles east of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Overnight, the surface low was captured by the upper level low and this slowed its forward progress. At 1 a.m. EST on the 27th, the 970 millibar surface low was located about 50 miles southeast of Montauk Point, New York and at 7 a.m. EST, the 962 millibar low was located just southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The surface pressure bottomed at 961 millibars at 10 a.m. EST on the 27th and from there it slowly weakened as it passed south of Nova Scotia. The surface pressure of this winter storm dropped 31 millibars from 1 a.m. EST on the 26th to 1 a.m. EST on the 27th, well exceeding the meteorological definition of a bombing low pressure system (24 millibar drop in 24 hours).

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 26, 4:29 AM EST, 2 hours 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 26, 4:29 AM EST, 2 hours 31 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
429 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

.SYNOPSIS...
LOW PRESSURE NEAR THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. COAST EARLY THIS MORNING
WILL INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES NORTHEAST OFF THE NORTHERN MID ATLANTIC
COAST TONIGHT AND OFF THE NEW ENGLAND COAST BY MONDAY. HIGH
PRESSURE GENERALLY WILL FOLLOW FOR MUCH OF THE NEW WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
MODELS ARE NOW IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE IMPENDING SYSTEM. THE
NORTHERN STREAM MID LEVEL TROUGHS HAVE COME INTO PHASE AND ARE
FORMING A CUTOFF LOW JUST TO OUR WEST. THIS LOW WILL PHASE WITH THE
SOUTHERN STREAM ENERGY BY AROUND THE END OF THE NEAR TERM, CAUSING
A STACKED LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM TO DEVELOP. AT THE SURFACE, THIS WILL
RESULT IN A DEEPENING LOW THAT SHOULD BE OFF THE NEW JERSEY COAST
BY THEN.

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE BETTER EAST THAN WEST: A NICE TROWAL
LIFTING INTO OUR REGION TODAY, GOOD Q-VECTOR CONVERGENCE ALOFT,
GOOD FRONTOGENESIS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ATMOSPHERE, GOOD LIFT
IN THE SNOW GROWTH REGION, AND DECENT I295 ISENTROPIC LIFT. A NICE
MID LEVEL DRY SLOT IS PROGGED TO DEVELOP TO OUR SOUTHEAST. WORKING
AGAINST VERY ROBUST SNOW TO LIQUID RATIOS ARE STRONG WINDS BELOW
THE SNOW GROWTH REGION AND SOME TEMPERATURES IN THE WARM LAYER
CAPABLE OF GENERATING P-TYPE ISSUES THAT WILL WRAP AROUND THE
DEVELOPING STORM AND TRY TO MOVE OVER LAND. NO MODEL IS
FORECASTING ANY KIND OF A CHANGEOVER ON LAND, AND THE FORECAST
WON'T GO THERE AT THIS POINT. DYNAMIC COOLING OVER LAND LIKELY
WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO STAVE OFF ANY MIXING.

THE PRESENT FORECAST REFLECTS FEW SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM THE
PREVIOUS FORECAST OVER LAND, BECAUSE A CONSENSUS OF THE MODELS SEEMS
TO SUPPORT IT. ONE CHANGE OF NOTE IS THAT THERE IS AN UPGRADE OF
THE WINTER STORM WARNING TO A BLIZZARD WARNING FOR OCEAN COUNTY
AND THE FOUR COUNTIES THAT ENCIRCLE NEW YORK CITY. WINDS BELOW
THE WARM LAYER ARE FORECAST TO GET FAIRLY ROBUST BY THE NAM AS THE
LOW STACKS, AND THE NAM IS THE WEAKEST WITH THE SURFACE LOW AT THE
END OF THE PERIOD.

WE STAY ON THE COLD SIDE OF GUIDANCE ON MAX TEMPERATURES.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY/...
THIS SYSTEM SEEMS TO HAVE THE VIRTUE OF SLOWING DOWN ONLY AFTER
ITS PRECIPITATION SHIELD LIFTS NORTHEAST OF OUR AREA. THE FACTORS
FOR HEAVY SNOW LIFT NORTH THROUGH THE FORECAST AREA DURING THE
NIGHT AND REMAIN MORE ROBUST EAST THAN WEST. THE TROWAL AND SOME
LIFT LINGER INTO THE FIRST PART OF MONDAY NORTHEAST, BUT THE
FRONTOGENESIS, Q-VECTOR CONVERGENCE AND GOOD LIFT IN THE SNOW
GROWTH REGION HAVE DEPARTED BY DAYBREAK. WINDS MAY WARRANT
EXPANDING THE BLIZZARD WARNING IN SUBSEQUENT FORECASTS, BUT
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS HERE TEND TO BE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN FOR A
SIGNIFICANT PERIOD.

A LITTLE BIT OF ENERGY TRIES TO MOVE ALONG A WARM FRONT ALOFT ON
MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY. WE ARE ONLY FORECASTING SOME CLOUDS FOR
NOW. AS NOTED IN PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS, THIS SYSTEM SEEMS TO COME ON
THE ADVENT OF A PATTERN SHIFT.

WINDS WILL STAY UP WELL INTO MONDAY BEFORE STARTING TO DIMINISH ON
MONDAY NIGHT. CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW IS
EXPECTED. FORECAST TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE LOW SIDE OF GUIDANCE.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
THE UPPER FLOW WILL SHOW THE DEEP UPPER LOW OVER EASTER CANADA AND A
WEAK RIDGE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN STATES. ANOTHER LOW IS ACROSS CENTRAL
CANADA AS WELL. THESE FEATURES WILL PRODUCE A SEMI-ZONAL FLOW ACROSS
THE REGION DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE EXTENDED PERIOD. THE PATTERN
QUICKLY AMPLIFIES ACROSS THE CONUS WITH A STRONG TROUGH DEEPENING
AND MOVING INTO THE WESTERN STATES AND A RIDGE BUILDING ACROSS THE
EAST BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY DAY...HIGH PRESSURE WILL BE ACROSS
DEEP SOUTH AND IT WILL BE RIDGING UP ACROSS THE EAST COAST. THIS
WILL BRING DRY WEATHER AND COLD TEMPERATURES THESE DAYS. LOWS
TUESDAY NIGHT WILL BE MOSTLY IN THE TEENS AND LOW 20S AND HIGHS ON
WEDNESDAY JUST A LITTLE BELOW NORMAL WITH READINGS IN THE 30S
REGION-WIDE. THE FAIR WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY AND
INTO EARLY FRIDAY AS THE SFC RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE AREA.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...THE PATTERN WILL BECOME WETTER AS A DEEP LOW
WILL EMERGE OUT OF THE ROCKIES THURSDAY AND IT WILL MOVE UP INTO THE
UPPER GREAT LAKES BY SATURDAY. THE SOUTHWEST FLOW OUT AHEAD OF THE
SYSTEM WILL GRADUALLY BRING MOISTEN AND RAINS PROBABLY BY LATER
FRIDAY AND CONTINUING INTO THE EARLY PART OF THE WEEKEND. ALTHOUGH,
THE BETTER CHCS FOR PRECIP WILL NOT BE UNTIL LATER FRIDAY THERE IS A
SMALL CHC THAT IT MAY OCCUR EARLIER AND TEMPERATURES WILL STILL BE
COOL. A CHC/SLGT CHC FOR SNOW WILL BE IN THE GRIDS FOR LATE THU
NIGHT AND EARLY FRI MORNING. HIGHS WILL CLIMB TO NEAR NORMAL FRI AND
GO WELL ABOVE NORMAL SAT WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S TO LOW 50S
SOUTH AND LOW TO MID 40S NORTH.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG,
KMIV, KACY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE TAF SITES TODAY AND TONIGHT...
AND INTO MONDAY. INTENSIFYING LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE UP THE EAST
COAST THIS MORNING AND BECOME A MAJOR NOR/EASTER THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY TONIGHT.

AVIATION CONDITIONS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DETERIORATING IN A
DISCONTINUOUS FASHION EARLY THIS MORNING...MAINLY FROM SOUTH TO
NORTH...AS AN INITIAL BURST OF LIGHT SNOW AFFECTED THE SOUTHERN
THIRD OF OUR AREA. THIS WAS DECREASING IN AREAL EXTENT JUST BEFORE
SUNRISE...BUT A RENEWED DETERIORATING TREND SHOULD TAKE HOLD DURING
THIS MORNING AS UPWARD VERTICAL MOTION COUPLED WITH THE DEVELOPING
STRONG INFLOW WILL BRING IN COPIOUS LOW LEVEL MOISTURE. VFR TO
MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS NORTH AND CENTRAL ARE FORECAST TO FALL
FAIRLY RAPIDLY TO IFR BY LATE MORNING...AND THEN TO LOW IFR BY EARLY
THIS AFTERNOON AS SNOW OVERSPREADS THE AREA AND CONTINUES TONIGHT.

MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL FROM MIDDAY INTO THE
EARLY NIGHTTIME HOURS AS THE STORM INTENSIFIES AND MOVES TO A
POSITION JUST EAST OF NEW JERSEY. IT WILL CONTINUE MOVING
NORTHEASTWARD AND SHOULD BE IN THE VICINITY OF NANTUCKET ISLAND
MONDAY MORNING. STEADY SNOW WILL TAPER OFF TO SNOW SHOWERS AND
FLURRIES FROM SOUTH TO NORTH LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING WITH
CONDITIONS IMPROVING TO MARGINAL VFR MONDAY MORNING. HOWEVER...THERE
MAY BE SOME WRAP-AROUND SNOW FOR NORTHERN SECTIONS OF OUR AREA...
PERHAPS FOR KABE...MONDAY MORNING.

WINDS WILL INCREASE TO AROUND 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS FROM
THE NORTH-NORTHEAST LATER THIS MORNING, THEN SHIFT TO THE NORTH AND
INCREASE TO 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 KNOTS OR A LITTLE
MORE THIS AFTERNOON. AS THE STORM MOVES NORTH OF OUR LATITUDE, THE
WINDS WILL BECOME NORTHWEST TONIGHT AND GUST TO BETWEEN 35 AND 40
KNOTS AS THE STORM INTENSIFIES. THIS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING
OF THE SNOW...AND MAY CAUSE RUNWAYS AND TAXIWAYS TO DEVELOP DRIFTS.
THE NORTHWEST WINDS WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH MONDAY, WITH GUSTS
LOWERING TO AROUND 20 KNOTS BY LATE IN THE DAY.

OUTLOOK...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD INTO OUR REGION FROM THE WEST AND DOMINATE
OUR WEATHER TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

&&

.MARINE...
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL AFFECT THE TAF SITES TODAY AND TONIGHT...
AND INTO MONDAY. INTENSIFYING LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE UP THE EAST
COAST THIS MORNING AND BECOME A MAJOR NOR/EASTER THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY TONIGHT.

00Z GFS AND ECMWF GUIDANCE BOTH SHOW 925 HPA WINDS INCREASING TO
BETWEEN 50 AND 60 KNOTS OVER OUR NORTHERN WATERS LATE TODAY AND
EARLY TONIGHT...AS THE STORM INTENSIFIES IN THE EASTERN PORTION OF
THE NEW YORK BIGHT. WHILE NOT ALL OF THIS WIND IS EXPECTED TO REACH
THE SURFACE AS A LOW LEVEL WARM LAYER WILL INHIBIT FULL DOWNWARD
MOMENTUM FLUX...IT WAS DECIDED TO UPGRADE THE GALE WARNING TO A
STORM WARNING FOR THE OCEAN AND MONMOUTH COUNTY NEW JERSEY COASTAL
WATERS...AS WIND GUSTS MAY REACH 50 TO 55 KNOTS ESPECIALLY EARLY
TONIGHT. THE STORM WARNING WILL EXTEND THROUGH 23Z MONDAY...AS WIND
GUSTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE STRONGER OVER OUR NORTHERN WATERS...AND
GUSTS MAY REACH JUST OVER 45 KNOTS MONDAY. LATER SHIFTS MAY BE ABLE
TO DOWNGRADE IF THIS DOES NOT MATERIALIZE.

ELSEWHERE THE GALE WARNING WILL CONTINUE AS IS....BUT BE EXTENDED
THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY FOR NOW.

HIGH PRESSURE WILL PUSH IN FROM THE WEST TUESDAY AND DOMINATE OUR
WEATHER THROUGH THURSDAY. WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO
GUST TO OVER 25 KNOTS THROUGH TUESDAY, BUT MAY DROP BELOW ADVISORY
CRITERIA TUESDAY NIGHT. WAVE HEIGHTS ON OUR OCEAN WATERS ARE
EXPECTED TO REACH 10 TO 12 FT AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM LATE TODAY
INTO TONIGHT...THEN GRADUALLY LOWER AND DROP BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA
TUESDAY AFTERNOON. WAVEWATCH SEEMED ACCEPTABLE IN FORECASTING THE
SEAS WITH THIS EVENT. SUB-ADVISORY WINDS AND SEAS ARE FORECAST FOR
WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
AVIATION STORM SURGE GUIDANCE WAS CONSIDERED TOO LOW WITH THIS
EVENT, AS WINDS JUST OFFSHORE WILL BE GUSTING TO 45 TO 50 KNOTS...
AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE HIGHER MAINLY OFF OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.
THIS FETCH IS LIKELY TO BRING IN HIGHER WATER LEVELS THAN THE
GUIDANCE INDICATES. PRESENTLY, 3 FEET WOULD BE NEEDED FOR MODERATE
TIDAL FLOODING...AND THIS IS CONSIDERED A POSSIBILITY FOR OUR
NORTHERN AREAS FOR THE HIGH TIDE CYCLE TONIGHT. THEREFORE...THE
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH WAS UPGRADED TO A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 02Z
THROUGH 09Z TONIGHT FOR THE OCEAN FRONT AND BACK BAYS FOR OCEAN AND
MONMOUTH COUNTIES...AND ALSO FOR THE BAY FRONT IN MIDDLESEX...FOR
MINOR TO AREAS OF MODERATE TIDAL FLOODING. CONFIDENCE IS CERTAINLY
LESS THAN HIGH IN REACHING MODERATE LEVELS...BUT IT WAS DEEMED HIGH
ENOUGH TO WARRANT A WARNING.

FURTHER SOUTH...POSITIVE ANOMALIES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS HIGH AS
WINDS WILL NOT BE AS STRONG. EVEN SO...ANOMALIES OF PLUS 2 FEET ARE
LIKELY TO CAUSE MINOR TIDAL FLOODING...SO A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY
WILL BE ISSUED FOR THE HIGH TIDE CYCLE TONIGHT. THE AFTERNOON HIGH
TIDE MIGHT BE AT RISK FOR OUR SOUTHERN AREAS AS WELL...AS MINOR
TIDAL FLOODING LEVELS WILL BE APPROACHED...BUT NOT ENOUGH CONFIDENCE
EXISTED IN THIS FOR AN ADVISORY AT THIS POINT. AGAIN TODAY...THE DAY
SHIFT MAY NEED TO ISSUE A QUICK ADVISORY OR STATEMENT IF MINOR
LEVELS ARE BREACHED.

ADDITIONAL TIDAL FLOODING AFTER TONIGHT/S HIGH TIDE CYCLE IS LESS
LIKELY...AS THE OFFSHORE WIND FLOW WILL ALLOW DEPARTURES TO
LOWER...ALTHOUGH WATER LEVELS WILL REMAIN HIGH.

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY
     FOR PAZ054-055-060>062-067>071.
NJ...BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY FOR
     NJZ008-010-012>014-020-026.
     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY
     FOR NJZ001-007-009-015>019-021>025-027.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
     MONDAY FOR NJZ012>014-020-026.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
     MONDAY FOR NJZ022>025-027.
DE...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY
     FOR DEZ001>004.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST
     MONDAY FOR DEZ003-004.
MD...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST MONDAY
     FOR MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
MARINE...GALE WARNING FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 AM EST TUESDAY FOR
     ANZ430-431-452>455.
     STORM WARNING FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM EST MONDAY FOR
     ANZ450-451.

&&

SYNOPSIS...DELISI/NIERENBERG
NEAR TERM...DELISI
SHORT TERM...DELISI
LONG TERM...O'HARA
AVIATION...
MARINE...
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 26, 3:56 AM EST, 3 hours 4 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

NJZ008-010-271000-
MORRIS-SOMERSET-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ001-002-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007-009-015>019-021-PAZ054-
055-060>062-067>071-271000-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SUSSEX-
WARREN-HUNTERDON-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-CUMBERLAND-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-CHESTER-MONTGOMERY-BUCKS-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL DELAWARE...NORTHERN
DELAWARE...NORTHEAST MARYLAND...CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN NEW
JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY...SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...EAST CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

NJZ012>014-020-026-271000-
MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-OCEAN-COASTAL OCEAN-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM
EST MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN
NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ003-004-NJZ022>025-027-271000-
INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM
EST MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ430-431-452>455-271000-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE EGG INLET TO GREAT EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM GREAT EGG INLET TO CAPE MAY NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE MAY NJ TO CAPE HENLOPEN DE OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE OUT 20 NM-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 AM EST
TUESDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS AND
DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ450-451-271000-
COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM MANASQUAN INLET TO LITTLE EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
356 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM EST
MONDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 26, 6:42 AM EST, 18 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
642 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

DEZ002>004-MDZ015-019-020-NJZ021>025-261500-
KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-
CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-
COASTAL ATLANTIC-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...REHOBOTH BEACH...
CENTREVILLE...EASTON...DENTON...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY
642 AM EST SUN DEC 26 2010

...SOME ICE POSSIBLE IN ADVANCE OF THE SNOW EARLY THIS MORNING...

LIGHT FREEZING FOG HAD DEVELOPED IN ADVANCE OF THE SNOW OVER
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND ADJACENT
PORTIONS OF THE MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE EARLY THIS MORNING.
UNTREATED ROADS MAY BECOME ICY IN SPOTS, AND THAT COULD MAKE
DRIVING HAZARDOUS BEFORE SNOW BEGINS. WHEN SNOW STARTS TO
ACCUMULATE ON TOP OF ANY ICE, CONDITIONS WILL DETERIORATE FURTHER.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AROUND DAYBREAK OVER SOUTHERN DELAWARE,
AND BY MID-MORNING FROM NORTH OF ATLANTIC CITY TO NORTH OF DOVER
TO NEAR STEVENSVILLE.

PEOPLE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO AVOID DRIVING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

MPD

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

19 heavy snow, 8 blizzard, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Cape May

When: December 26, 7:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Cape May forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.085, -74.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Western Cape May

When: December 26, 7:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Western Cape May forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.085, -74.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Eastern Atlantic

When: December 26, 7:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Atlantic forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.469, -74.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Western Atlantic

When: December 26, 7:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Western Atlantic forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.469, -74.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Cumberland

When: December 26, 8:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.328, -75.129 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Southeastern Burlington

When: December 26, 9:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Southeastern Burlington forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.878, -74.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Western Ocean

When: December 26, 10:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Western Ocean forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.866, -74.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Eastern Ocean

When: December 26, 10:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Ocean forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.866, -74.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Camden

When: December 26, 10:30 AM EST to December 27, 6:30 AM EST
Where: Camden forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.804, -74.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Northwestern Burlington

When: December 26, 10:30 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Northwestern Burlington forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.878, -74.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Hunterdon

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Hunterdon forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.567, -74.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Gloucester

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:30 AM EST
Where: Gloucester forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.717, -75.142 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Salem

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Salem forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.577, -75.358 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Eastern Monmouth

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Monmouth forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.288, -74.158 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Western Monmouth

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Western Monmouth forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.288, -74.158 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Middlesex

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Middlesex forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.440, -74.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Somerset

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Somerset forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.564, -74.616 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Mercer

When: December 26, 11:00 AM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Mercer forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.283, -74.702 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Weather, Warren

When: December 26, 12:00 PM EST to December 27, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.857, -74.997 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Morris

When: December 26, 12:00 PM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Morris forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.862, -74.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Sussex

When: December 26, 12:00 PM EST to December 27, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Sussex forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.140, -74.690 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Eastern Atlantic

When: December 26, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Atlantic forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.469, -74.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Western Atlantic

When: December 26, 3:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Western Atlantic forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.469, -74.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Southeastern Burlington

When: December 26, 3:30 PM EST to December 27, 9:30 PM EST
Where: Southeastern Burlington forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.878, -74.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Western Ocean

When: December 26, 4:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Western Ocean forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.866, -74.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Eastern Ocean

When: December 26, 4:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Ocean forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.866, -74.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Eastern Monmouth

When: December 26, 4:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Monmouth forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.288, -74.158 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Western Monmouth

When: December 26, 4:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Western Monmouth forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.288, -74.158 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Middlesex

When: December 26, 4:00 PM EST to December 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Middlesex forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.440, -74.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New Jersey in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in New Jersey, December 2010

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 271984, 271985, 271986, 271990, 271983, 271991, 271992, 271993, 271978, 272002, 271975, 271981, 271982, 271994, 271995, 271997, 271998, 272001, 271974, 271999, 272000, 271960, 271962, 271969, 271963, 271964, 271965, 271967, 271968.