Delaware, 2016

Winter Storm in Delaware, January 22 to 24, 2016

January 22 to 24, 2016 · NWS PHI · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

An impulse from the west coast traversed the midsection of the country, then developed into a low pressure system as it tracked across the Gulf states before intensifying along the Carolina coast into a major nor'easter, producing record or near record snowfall through a good part of Delaware. It then moved out to sea after passing by the mid-Atlantic coast early on January 24th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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.

An impulse from the west coast traversed the midsection of the country, then developed into a low pressure system as it tracked across the Gulf states before intensifying along the Carolina coast into a major nor'easter, producing record or near record snowfall through a good part of Delaware. It then moved out to sea after passing by the mid-Atlantic coast early on January 24th.

Snow began falling during the mid afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, then continued, heavy at times, Friday night into early Sunday morning. Wind gusts up to 60 MPH produced near-blizzard conditions as visibilities dropped to one-quarter mile or less in spots. Some representative snowfall totals include: 16.3 inches in Talleyville, 14.8 in Hockessin, 12.0 in Claymont, 11.2 in Prices Corner, and 10.5 in Newport, all in New Castle County. In Kent County, reports include 17.2 inches in Woodside, 14.8 in Harrington, 14.2 in Dover, 12.0 in Magnolia, and 9.7 in Smyrna. In Sussex County, reports include 8.8 in Laurel, 7.8 near Georgetown, 7.0 in Seaford, 5.2 in Bethany Beach, 4.2 in Milton, and 3.0 in Rehoboth Beach.

Some wind gusts include 75 MPH at 0735EST on the 23rd in Dewey Beach, 64 MPH at 0512EST on the 23rd at Sussex County Airport in Georgetown, 50 MPH at 0730EST on the 23rd in Rehoboth Beach, and 53 MPH at 0551EST on the 23rd at New Castle County Airport.

A 44-year-old male from Magnolia (Kent County) died while shoveling snow around his home on January 23rd.

At one point during the storm, up to 117,000 customers were without power. Outages were concentrated closer to the coast where the strongest winds occurred.

The Delaware Department of Transportation spent approximately $3.5 million dollars to clear and maintain the state's highways and roadways.

Moderate to major flooding occurred along the Delaware coast and associated back bays during this event. Record flooding was recorded in many spots, including the ocean front at Lewes. Route 1 was closed between Dewey Beach and the Indian River Bridge due to flooding. Beach erosion was extensive, but property damage was minimal considering the record water levels during this event. Some damage was noted on the boardwalk on the north end of Rehoboth beach from Grenoble place to Surf avenue totaling from 150 to 400 K. After viewing the beach areas, Governor Markell noted the importance of investments in beach replenishment and dunes in limiting damage in this storm. Sand dunes and Stormwater pipes were damaged as well and Delaware is looking for $2.5M in disaster relief. The day after the storm subsided, the Small Business Development Center extended an offer of free services to help businesses impacted by the storm to get up and running again, but a week after the storm, no businesses have taken the center up on the offer. Damage estimates total $0.13 million in New Castle County, $0.553 million in Kent County, and $0.778 million in Sussex County. These estimates do not include damage to beaches maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which include Dewey and Lewes Beaches.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency beginning 5 PM Friday, January 22nd, which ended at midnight Sunday night. Schools and many businesses recessed early on Friday afternoon in anticipation of the storm. On March 16t 2016, President Obama declared the state of Delaware a federal disaster area. This declaration makes federal funding available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. This declaration does not provide funding for beach replenishment made necessary by erosion caused by the storm.

The combination of a strong onshore flow and high astronomical tides associated with a coincident full moon produced record tidal flooding along the Delaware coast and lower Delaware Bay during the morning high tide cycle on Saturday, January 23rd. The NOS gauge at Breakwater Harbor (Lewes) peaked at 9.27 feet MLLW at 812 AM. This broke the previous record of 9.2 ft MLLW set on March 6, 1962. A prolonged onshore flow through three consecutive tide cycles produced moderate flooding for the Saturday evening high tide, and minor flooding for the Sunday morning high tide. This prolonged onshore flow also produced flooding in the back bay areas.

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 Jan 22, 1:09 PM EST, 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 22, 1:09 PM EST, 51 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
109 PM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
LOW PRESSURE OVER GEORGIA THIS AFTERNOON WILL STRENGTHEN IN ITS
PASSAGE TO THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST EARLY SATURDAY. THE LOW IS
THEN EXPECTED TO MOVE NORTHEAST AND OUT TO SEA SATURDAY NIGHT.
HIGH PRESSURE IS ANTICIPATED TO FOLLOW FOR THE EARLY PART OF THE
NEW WEEK. A COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM THE WEST IS FORECAST TO
ARRIVE ON TUESDAY NIGHT WITH ANOTHER AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE
EXPECTED IN ITS WAKE.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
THE FASTER START TIME FOR THE SNOW SEEMS TO BE PANNING OUT BASED
ON UPSTREAM OBSERVATIONS. AS OF NOON, THE SNOW IS ON THE DOOR STEP
OF SRN MD AND THE VA PART OF THE DELMARVA. IT'S ALREADY SNOWING
HEAVILY IN THE RICHMOND, VA AREA. MAJORITY OF THE 12Z GUIDANCE HAS
TRENDED FARTHER NORTH WITH THE LOW AND PRECIP SHIELD, PUTTING SE
PA, S/C NJ AND THE NRN DELMARVA IN THE CROSSFIRE FOR THE HEAVIEST
SNOW. IT ALSO PUTS AREAS TO THE NORTH (I-78 CORRIDOR) THAT WERE
ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE PRECIPITATION AT GREATER RISK FOR
MODERATE TO PERHAPS HEAVY SNOW.

WE PLAN ON EVALUATING THE REST OF THE 12Z GUIDANCE AND CONDUCTING
AN INTERNAL CONFERENCE CALL WITH OUR NEIGHBORING OFFICES AND WPC
BEFORE UPDATING OUR SNOWFALL FORECAST THIS AFTERNOON. WE WANT TO
EMPHASIZE THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE SNOW STARTS LATER THIS AFTERNOON
AND INTO TONIGHT, THE SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY. ROAD CONDITIONS
WILL DETERIORATE RAPIDLY FROM SOUTH TO NORTH WITH SNOWFALL RATES
OF 1+ INCH PER HOUR AT TIMES.

PREVIOUS MID MORNING UPDATE...
BASED ON TRENDS IN THE LATEST GUIDANCE, RADAR AND SURFACE
OBSERVATIONS, THE SNOW LOOKS TO COME IN FASTER. THE WORDING IN THE
WINTER HEADLINES WERE UPDATED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EARLIER ARRIVAL
OF THE SNOW. A SPS WAS ISSUED FOR SOUTH OF PHILLY AS WE ARE
PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH THE SNOW STARTING DURING THE
AFTERNOON/EVENING COMMUTE. ONCE THE SNOW STARTS, IT WON'T TAKE
LONG FOR IT TO BECOME MODERATE TO EVEN LOCALLY HEAVY IN INTENSITY.
THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR RATES TO APPROACH 1"/HR IN THE DELMARVA
AND SOUTHERN-MOST PART OF NJ AT THE TAIL END OF RUSH HOUR.

EXPECT ADDITIONAL REFINEMENTS TO THE SNOWFALL FORECAST FOR THIS
EVENT SOMETIME THIS AFTERNOON AFTER MOST OF THE 12Z GUIDANCE COMES
IN. WE'LL STILL HAVE TO WATCH HOW FAR THAT TIGHT PRECIP GRADIENT
ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE STORM SHIFTS. WE'LL ALSO TRY TO
PINPOINT THE AREA THAT HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO SEE MESOSCALE SNOW
BANDING THROUGHOUT THE EVENT WHICH WILL LIKELY BE NOT TOO FAR NORTH
OF THE RAIN/SLEET-SNOW LINE. WE WOULD INCREASE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS IF
CONFIDENCE IN THE PLACEMENT, DURATION AND INTENSITY OF THIS
MESOSCALE FEATURE IS SUFFICIENTLY HIGH. THERE IS A POTENTIAL TO
SEE SNOWFALL RATES OF 2-3" PER HOUR AND PERHAPS THUNDERSNOW
UNDERNEATH THIS BAND. LOOKING AT THE 00Z/06Z GUIDANCE LAST NIGHT,
THIS BAND COULD SET UP ROUGHLY AS FAR SOUTH AS THE EASTERN SHOWER
OF MD- C DE TO AS FAR NORTH AS THE NORTHERN SUBURBS OF PHILLY/
CENTRAL NJ.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE SNOW WILL BE PARTICULARLY HEAVY/WET
WITH THIS EVENT AS MODEL SOUNDINGS SHOWS A DEEP RIMING LAYER. THIS
HAS TO BE FACTORED INTO THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM A SOCIETAL
PERSPECTIVE AND SNOW RATIOS FROM A FORECAST PERSPECTIVE. POWER
OUTAGES COULD BE EXTENSIVE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM WHERE THERE
ARE BLIZZARD WARNINGS DUE TO THE HEAVY WET SNOW AND STRONG WINDS.
ADDITIONALLY, EXTENSIVE POWER OUTAGES ARE LIKELY NEAR THE COAST
(WHERE THE STRONGEST WINDS RESIDE ON SATURDAY) EVEN IF THEY SWITCH
OVER TO RAIN. WE'LL ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER EXPANDING THE BLIZZARD
WARNINGS A TAD SOUTHEAST OF THE CURRENT ONE. WITH REGARDS TO SNOW
RATIOS, THEY WILL BE LESS THAN THE TYPICAL 10:1 DURING THE HEART OF
THE EVENT (ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN HALF OF THE CWA) DUE
TO THE RIMING FACTOR AND POTENTIAL FOR MIXING.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM SATURDAY/...
THE POTENT CLOSED LOW WILL CONTINUE TO MIGRATE TOWARD THE MID
ATLANTIC COAST. THIS WILL ORGANIZE SURFACE LOW PRESSURE IN THE
VICINITY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST WHICH MAY THEN JUMP A LITTLE
BIT NORTHWARD. WE CONTINUE TO SEE MUCH OF THE GUIDANCE DISPLAYING A
DUAL LOW PRESSURE STRUCTURE DEVELOPING THROUGH THE NIGHT, AND THIS
COULD BE DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF THE SHARP PRESSURE FALLS AND THE
GULF STREAM. THE STRENGTHENING BAROCLINIC ZONE JUST OFF THE COAST
MAY BE CAUSING THE MODEL GUIDANCE TO JUMP THE SURFACE LOW AROUND
SOME. OVERALL, THIS MAY NOT HAVE A HUGE IMPACT IN WHAT OCCURS ACROSS
MUCH OF OUR AREA.

AS THE POTENT ENERGY CONTINUES TO ORGANIZE AND DEEPEN THE SURFACE
LOW, A ROBUST EASTERLY LOW-LEVEL JET GETS GOING. THIS BECOMES DRIVEN
INTO MOSTLY OUR SOUTHERN ZONES DURING THE COURSE OF THE NIGHT,
ESPECIALLY LATER ON, AND THIS WILL ASSIST IN PULLING MORE MOISTURE
OFF THE ATLANTIC AND ALSO ENHANCE THE LARGE SCALE LIFT. IN ADDITION,
THERMAL CIRCULATIONS WILL SUPPORT STRENGTHENING FRONTOGENETIC
FORCING WITH TIME. ALL THIS WILL SUPPORT AN AREA OF SNOW MOVING
NORTHWARD TONIGHT, HOWEVER IT MAY TAKE MUCH OF THE NIGHT TO REACH
THE FAR NORTHERN AREAS DUE TO LINGERING DRIER AIR AND SOME POSSIBLE
DELAY IN THE FORCING.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING ALL AREAS TO BE SNOW TO START TONIGHT, HOWEVER
THE STRENGTHENING EASTERLY LOW-LEVEL JET WILL DRIVE WAA INTO THE
COASTAL AREAS ESPECIALLY FROM ABOUT ATLANTIC COUNTY ON SOUTHWARD.
THIS FLOW OFF A MILDER THAN USUAL OCEAN SHOULD HELP MODIFY THE
BOUNDARY LAYER ENOUGH TO RESULT IN SNOW BECOMING WETTER, AND THEN
SOME MIXING TAKES PLACE DURING THE NIGHT. HOW FAR THIS PENETRATES
INLAND IS STILL SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN, HOWEVER STRONG LIFT MAY OFFSET
IT AND KEEP THE MILDER AIR CLOSEST TO THE COAST. THERE WILL PROBABLY
BE A THUMP OF SNOW FOR EVEN THE COASTAL LOCALES THROUGH THE NIGHT
FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, AND THIS WAS FACTORED INTO OUR WARNING DECISION
MAKING.

THE DEEPENING SURFACE LOW AND MASSIVE HEIGHT FALLS AND ENERGY WILL
ASSIST IN TIGHTENING THE PRESSURE GRADIENT AT THE SURFACE. THIS WILL
ALLOW NORTHEASTERLY WINDS TO INCREASE FROM THE COAST INLAND DURING
THE NIGHT, WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS AT THE COAST. THERE STILL IS
SOME QUESTION HOW QUICK THE WINDS RAMP UP INTO THE INTERSTATE 95
CORRIDOR, HOWEVER MUCH OF THE GUIDANCE INDICATES A SHARP INCREASE
TAKING PLACE AFTER MIDNIGHT. THIS ALSO WAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR
WARNING DECISION MAKING.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
THE SYNOPTIC SETUP IS COMPRISED OF POTENT ENERGY ACROSS THE MID
ATLANTIC REGION THROUGH LATE SATURDAY, WHICH RESULTS IN A MAJOR
WINTER STORM. OUR MAIN FOCUS IS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. WE USED A MODEL
BLEND APPROACH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WITH CONTINUITY FACTORED IN, THEN
NO MAJOR CHANGES WERE MADE THEREAFTER. SOME ADJUSTMENTS WERE THEN
MADE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL COLLABORATION WITH OUR NEIGHBORING OFFICES
AND WPC.

FOR SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...A VERY DYNAMIC SETUP IS FORECAST TO
EVOLVE DURING THIS TIME FRAME ACROSS THE MID ATLANTIC.

FORCING...
THE FORCING FOR ASCENT INCREASES QUITE A BIT SATURDAY AS THE
SURFACE LOW RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES AND THE CLOSED LOW BEGINS TO
CAPTURE IT AND BECOMES MORE VERTICALLY STACKED. THE MODEL GUIDANCE
POINTING TO ENHANCED BANDING POTENTIAL, WHICH IS MOSTLY IN THE
800- 700 MB LAYER WITH STRENGTHENING FRONTOGENETIC FORCING MOVING
NORTHWARD WHICH THEN PIVOTS SOUTH AND EAST LATER SATURDAY INTO
SUNDAY. IT DOES APPEAR THAT A DEFORMATION BAND PIVOTS ACROSS OUR
AREA DURING SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT, BEFORE MOVING OUT TO SEE
VERY EARLY SUNDAY. IT IS THE MESOSCALE FEATURES ESPECIALLY THAT
WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON SNOWFALL INTENSITY AND AMOUNTS. IT APPEARS
THAT THE SNOWFALL RATES REACH 1 TO AS MUCH AS 3 INCHES PER HOUR
FOR A TIME SATURDAY IN THE BANDING FEATURES WITH PERHAPS EVEN A
RUMBLE OF THUNDER AS LAPSE RATES STEEPEN SOME. THE STEEPENING OF
THE LAPSE RATES MAY OCCUR MORE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ZONES SATURDAY
AS A POSSIBLE MID LEVEL DRY SLOT APPROACHES. THIS COULD BE ENOUGH
TO ALLOW FOR SOME CONVECTIVE ELEMENTS TO BE MIXING IN WITH A FEW
LIGHTNING STRIKES.

PRECIPITATION TYPES...
AN INTENSE EASTERLY JET NEAR OR JUST ABOVE 850 MB WILL TRY AND
DRIVE A WARM LAYER INLAND, HOWEVER IF PRECIPITATION IS HEAVY
ENOUGH THIS WOULD TEND TO OFFSET WARMING AND SHOULD KEEP THE
PRECIPITATION AS SNOW. CLOSER TO THE COAST THOUGH, A MILDER OCEAN
FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH INFLUENCE TO ALLOW A MIX
OR CHANGE TO RAIN FOR A TIME. SOME SLEET IS MENTIONED SATURDAY
GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR A WARM LAYER, HOWEVER THIS MAY BE SHORT IN
DURATION AS MUCH OF THE GUIDANCE INDICATE ANY NARROW WARM LAYER
COOLING SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE MAIN MIXING OR CHANGEOVER TO RAIN
IS FAR SOUTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN DELAWARE
ATTM.

SNOWFALL...
SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS ARE ANTICIPATED FOR MUCH OF OUR AREA,
WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS MAINLY IN THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR. IN
ADDITION, AT LEAST SOME MODEL GUIDANCE INDICATES THAT A DRY SLOT
TRIES TO WORK IN ACROSS PORTIONS OF DELAWARE TO SOUTHEASTERN NEW
JERSEY FOR A TIME SATURDAY, BEFORE THE DEFORMATION BAND PIVOTS
ACROSS. IF THE DRY SLOT OCCURS, PRECIPITATION WILL BECOME RATHER
LIGHT HOWEVER WE ARE SURE THIS OCCURS AT LEAST ACROSS A LARGE AREA
ATTM DUE TO POTENTIALLY STRONG DYNAMIC LIFT ON THE NORTHERN AND
WESTERN SIDE OF THE STORM. SOME CONCERN IS A STRONG FORCED BAND
VIA FRONTOGENESIS DEVELOPS, PERHAPS SOME SUBSIDENCE OCCURS ON
EITHER SIDE OF IT AND THEREFORE SNOWFALL RATES TAIL OFF FOR
AWHILE. OVERALL, WE CONTINUED WITH A LARGE SWATH OF AROUND A FOOT
PRIMARILY CENTERED ALONG THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR WITH LESSER
AMOUNTS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTHEAST. THERE SHOULD BE A TIGHT
GRADIENT ACROSS THE FAR NORTH BUT THIS WILL DEPEND ON THE BANDING
AND HOW MUCH STRONGER LIFT CAN EXTEND THAT FAR NORTHWARD. THE
AMOUNTS ARE LOWER FOR MUCH OF THE COASTAL AREAS WITH SOME MIXING
FOR AWHILE, HOWEVER AN INITIAL THUMP OF SNOW AND/OR THE
DEFORMATION BAND PIVOTING THROUGH LATER SATURDAY SHOULD MAKE UP
FOR IT.

WINDS...
UP TO 60 MPH GUSTS ALONG PORTIONS OF THE COAST AND THEN THESE
LOWER SOME AS ONE MOVES INLAND. THERE SHOULD BE SOMEWHAT LESS
MOMENTUM TRANSFER INLAND AS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH SEVERAL MAJOR
WINTER STORMS IN THE PAST. THE WINDS WILL EASE LATER SATURDAY
NIGHT INTO SUNDAY AS THEY START TO TURN NORTH AND THEN EVENTUALLY
NORTHWEST.

FOR SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY....HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD ACROSS
THE REGION, MOVING OFF TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE AREA BY LATE
MONDAY. THIS SHOULD BRING A PERIOD OF SOME DRIER AND SLIGHTLY WARMER
WEATHER TO OUR AREA. WINDS WILL BE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST WHICH SHOULD
ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO MODIFY. HIGHS ON MONDAY SHOULD REACH INTO THE
UPPER 30S TO LOWER 40S WITH HIGHS ON TUESDAY IN THE 40S ACROSS MUCH
OF THE AREA. LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPS ACROSS THE MIDWEST STATES AND
GRADUALLY PUSHES EAST ON MONDAY INTO TUESDAY. AS THE LOW CROSS THE
GREAT LAKES AREA, IT WILL DRAG A COLD FRONT ACROSS LATE IN THE DAY
TUESDAY OR TUESDAY NIGHT. THIS MAY BRING SOME SNOW AND/OR RAIN TO
THE AREA LATER TUESDAY, THEN CLEARING OUT BY EARLY WEDNESDAY.

FOR WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...HIGH PRESSURE WILL START TO BUILD
INTO THE REGION FROM THE WEST/SOUTHWEST. AS THE RIDGE STARTS TO
BUILD JUST WEST OF THE AREA, WE WILL SEE A NORTHWEST TO WEST WIND,
WHICH MAY ALLOW FOR SOME FLURRIES OR LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS TO REACH THE
REGION. MEANWHILE, A FRONTAL ZONE WELL OFFSHORE MAY HAVE A SURFACE
LOW TRACK UP ALONG IT HOWEVER THIS IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN WELL
OFFSHORE LATE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

THIS AFTERNOON...VFR CIRRUS CIGS LOWERING WITH IFR SNOW BREAKING
OUT KPHL/KILG AND KMIV BETWEEN 23Z-24Z/22. NORTH TO NORTHEAST WIND
AROUND 10 KT WITH SCATTERED GUSTS AROUND 20 KT.

TONIGHT...THE 18Z TAFS ARE POSTED WITH HIGH CONFIDENCE. IFR VARIABLE
LIFR IN SNOW, OCCASIONALLY HEAVY WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
DEVELOPING WHEN NORTHEAST WIND GUSTS INCREASE TO BETWEEN 25 AND 45
KT AFTER 05Z/23. AIRPORT CLOSURES WITH PLOWING. FOUR TO 8 INCHES OF
NEW DIFFICULT TO MEASURE SNOW ON THE GROUND AT ALL TAF SITES BY 12Z/23...
HEAVIEST PROBABLY KPHL/PNE AND KILG.

SATURDAY...IFR/LIFR CONDITIONS CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY WITH ALMOST
CONTINUOUS HOURLY MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING-DRIFTING SNOW
AT ALL TAF SITES EXCEPT A POSSIBLE BRIEF CHANGE TO RAIN OR SLEET
KMIV/KACY DURING MORNING-MIDDAY. NE WINDS GUST 30 TO 40 KT EXCEPT
NEAR 50 KT KACY. WINDS TURNING NORTHERLY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND
GUSTS MAY DIMINISH 5 TO 10 KTS BY 23Z/23.

OUTLOOK...
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...HIGH IMPACT WINTER STORM WITH SNOW, HEAVY AT
TIMES, LEADING TO IFR/LIFR CONDITIONS. THE SNOW SHOULD MIX WITH
SLEET OR CHANGE TO RAIN AT KMIV AND KACY FOR A TIME SATURDAY BEFORE
CHANGING TO ALL SNOW SATURDAY EVENING. THE SNOW ENDS FROM WEST TO
EAST LATER SATURDAY NIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. NORTHEAST WINDS
WILL GUST UP TO 35 KNOTS SATURDAY AND SATURDAY EVENING AT THE I-95
CORRIDOR TERMINALS, WITH HIGHER WIND GUSTS AT KMIV AND KACY AND LESS
AT KABE AND KRDG. WHERE THE SNOW REMAINS DRIER, THE GUSTY WINDS WILL
RESULT IN BLOWING SNOW ACROSS THE AIRFIELDS. THE WINDS TURN NORTH
SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEN NORTHWEST SUNDAY, AND WHILE DIMINISHING SOME
THERE MAY BE SOME GUSTINESS LINGERING SUNDAY.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY...VFR MONDAY, THEN INCREASING CLOUDS TUESDAY WITH
A CHANCE OF SOME MAINLY RAIN SHOWERS AS A COLD FRONT ARRIVES. SOME
PERIODS OF MVFR MAY OCCUR LATER TUESDAY AS A RESULT.

&&

.MARINE...
**STORM FORCE WIND GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 KT WILL OCCUR AT TIMES BETWEEN
  4 AM AND 6 PM SATURDAY AND ALL SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE SAFELY IN
  PORT BY 6 PM THIS EVENING**

ISOLATED GUSTS TO 65 KT-HURRICANE FORCE, ARE POSSIBLE SATURDAY
MORNING.

A DANGEROUS NOREASTER IS COMING WITH A 20 KT INCREASE IN SUSTAINED
WINDS FCST BETWEEN 6 PM AND MIDNIGHT...AND ANOTHER 15 KT INCREASE
BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM SATURDAY.

THERE MAY BE A LULL IN THE WIND OFF DELAWARE MIDDAY TOMORROW AS THE
STORM CENTER APPROACHES FROM THE SOUTH,  THEN STORM FORCE NORTHERLY
WINDS WILL RESUME THERE DURING THE AFTERNOON.

HEAVY SNOW AT THE FRONT OF THE STORM WILL CHANGE TO RAIN SATURDAY
MORNING FROM NEAR BARNEGAT LIGHT SOUTH THEN, AFTER A LULL IN PCPN
MIDDAY IT SHOULD CHANGE TO PERIODS OF SNOW LATE IN THE DAY.

THE GFS WAVE WATCH SEAS FORECAST LOOKS TO BE BIASED WAY TOO LOW...
ALREADY UNDER DONE BY A FOOT IN THE SOUTHERN WATERS. HAVE RAISED
THOSE FORECAST SEAS BY 5 FT SO THAT SEAS SHOULD INCREASE AT THE
BUOYS 44009 AND 44091 TO AROUND 22 FT BY 10 AM SATURDAY.

OUTLOOK...

MONDAY...SUB-ADVISORY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ON THE
AREA WATERS AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS ACROSS THE REGION.

TUESDAY...WINDS MAY BECOME GUSTY AROUND 25 KNOTS AND SEAS MAY NEAR 5
FEET ON TUESDAY. A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
WE HAVE UPGRADED THE COASTAL FLOOD WATCH TO A WARNING AND IT IS IN
EFFECT FROM 400 AM SATURDAY UNTIL NOON SUNDAY. IT INCLUDES THE NEW
JERSEY COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX, MONMOUTH, OCEAN, SOUTHEASTERN
BURLINGTON, ATLANTIC, CAPE MAY AND CUMBERLAND, AND THE DELAWARE
COUNTIES OF SUSSEX AND KENT.

THE STRENGTHENING COASTAL STORM IS FORECAST TO RESULT IN A STRONG
ONSHORE FLOW FROM TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. WATER WILL LIKELY
BUILD ALONG THE COASTS OF DELAWARE AND NEW JERSEY AND IT MAY BECOME
TRAPPED ALONG THE COAST AND IN THE BACK BAY AND ESTUARIES FOR THREE
CONSECUTIVE HIGH TIDE CYCLES. THE STORM WILL COINCIDE WITH THE FULL
MOON, SO THE BASE ASTRONOMICAL TIDES WILL BE HIGH AND IT WILL NOT
TAKE MUCH OF A SURGE TO PRODUCE FLOODING.

IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST WILL
EXPERIENCE A STORM SURGE IN EXCESS OF 2 FEET. THE SOUTHERN PART OF
THE NEW JERSEY COAST AND THE DELAWARE COAST ARE EXPECTED TO SEE A
STORM SURGE IN EXCESS OF 3 FEET. AS A RESULT, WIDESPREAD MODERATE
COASTAL FLOODING IS ANTICIPATED AND THERE MAY BE LOCALIZED AREAS OF
MAJOR FLOODING, ESPECIALLY FROM LONG BEACH ISLAND, NEW JERSEY
SOUTHWARD.

ALSO, WE HAVE ISSUED A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
IN DELAWARE AND FOR SALEM COUNTY IN NEW JERSEY FOR MINOR FLOODING IN
THOSE COUNTIES. IT IS IN EFFECT FROM 800 AM SATURDAY UNTIL 200 PM
SUNDAY.

THE BRISK NORTHEAST WIND SHOULD ACT TO PUSH WATER DOWN THE TIDAL
DELAWARE RIVER AND DOWN THE UPPER PART OF CHESAPEAKE BAY. AS A
RESULT, IT DOES NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH THERE WILL BE ANY TIDAL
FLOODING IN THOSE AREAS.

&&

.CLIMATE...
PERSPECTIVE...WHAT IT TAKES FOR HISTORIC AROUND HERE.

TWO DAY RANKED SNOWFALL AND ENDING DATE AS DERIVED FROM THE
AVAILABLE DATA IN OUR CLIMATE DATABASE:

ALLENTOWN
#1  25.6 1/8/1996
#10 17.8 2/10/2010

ATLANTIC CITY
#1  20.0 2/17/2003
#10 16.3 1/26/1987

PHILADELPHIA
#1  30.7 1/8/1996
#10 19.4 4/4/1915

WILMINGTON DE
#1  25.8 2/6/2010
#10 18.0 1/24/1935

PLEASE SEE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ALL THE YEARS BETWEEN 1 AND 10.

RECORD DAILY WATER EQUIV AND SNOW

    1/22                  1/23
ACY 1.03-1954  5.0-1954   2.09-1998 1.2-1948
PHL 1.03-1987 10.8-2005   2.32-1998 11.9-1935
ILG 2.60-1902 12.0-1987   2.51-1998 3.9-1982
ABE 1.06-1987 11.1-1987   1.39-1983 7.7-1966

TTN 1.20-1987             2.30-1998
GED 1.52-1954             1.22-2006
RDG 1.11-1891             1.18-1966
MPO 1.68-1958             2.10-1987

NORMAL SNOWFALL FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON IS LISTED BELOW.

THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE THAT ENTIRE SEASONS NORMAL SNOWFALL WILL
OCCUR IN ONE STORM, BY MIDNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT.

PHILADELPHIA  22.4
ALLENTOWN     32.9
ATLANTIC CITY 16.5
WILMINGTON    20.2

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR PAZ061-062.
     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
     SUNDAY FOR PAZ060-101-103-105.
     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR PAZ070-071-102-104-106.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR PAZ054-055.
NJ...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR NJZ007>009.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST SUNDAY
     FOR NJZ012>014-020>027.
     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
     SUNDAY FOR NJZ021>025.
     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR NJZ016>020-026-027.
     HIGH WIND WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EST
     SATURDAY NIGHT FOR NJZ023>025.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 8 AM SATURDAY TO 2 PM EST SUNDAY
     FOR NJZ016.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR NJZ001.
     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY FOR
     NJZ010-012>015.
DE...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST SUNDAY
     FOR DEZ002>004.
     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
     SUNDAY FOR DEZ002>004.
     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR DEZ001.
     HIGH WIND WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EST
     SATURDAY NIGHT FOR DEZ003-004.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 8 AM SATURDAY TO 2 PM EST SUNDAY
     FOR DEZ001.
MD...BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST SUNDAY
     FOR MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
MARINE...STORM WARNING FROM 1 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY FOR
     ANZ450>455.
     STORM WARNING FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 1 AM EST SUNDAY FOR ANZ430.
     STORM WARNING FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO 1 AM EST SUNDAY FOR ANZ431.

&&

SYNOPSIS...IOVINO
NEAR TERM...KLEIN
SHORT TERM...DRAG/GORSE/KLEIN
LONG TERM...FRANCK/GORSE
AVIATION...FRANCK/GORSE/IOVINO/KLEIN/DRAG 109P
MARINE...DRAG 109P
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
CLIMATE...BUNKER/GAINES/FRANK/DRAG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 22, 3:40 AM EST, 10 hours 20 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

NJZ007>009-PAZ061-062-230845-
WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW
JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY AND EAST CENTRAL 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...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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.

PAZ060-101-103-105-230845-
BERKS-WESTERN CHESTER-WESTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
EST SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL 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...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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.

DEZ002-NJZ021-022-230845-
KENT-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
EST SUNDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL 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 WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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 WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ017>019-PAZ070-071-102-104-106-230845-
CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-EASTERN CHESTER-
EASTERN MONTGOMERY-LOWER BUCKS-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST MARYLAND...SOUTHERN
NEW JERSEY 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.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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.

NJZ020-026-027-230845-
OCEAN-COASTAL OCEAN-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

DEZ003-004-NJZ023>025-230845-
INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-
COASTAL ATLANTIC-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
EST SUNDAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EST
SATURDAY NIGHT...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

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.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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

   WINTER STORM WARNING.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

NJZ010-015-230845-
SOMERSET-MERCER-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND
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...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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-NJZ016-230845-
NEW CASTLE-SALEM-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM SATURDAY TO 2 PM EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN 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.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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 ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

NJZ012>014-230845-
MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND
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.
   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

NJZ001-PAZ054-055-230845-
SUSSEX-CARBON-MONROE-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM SATURDAY TO 10 AM EST
SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND
NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

ANZ450>455-230845-
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-
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-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY...

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...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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...

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

ANZ430-230845-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 1 AM EST SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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...

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

ANZ431-230845-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
340 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SATURDAY TO 1 AM EST SUNDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR 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.

   STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

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...

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 22, 8:46 AM EST, 5 hours 14 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
846 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ016-017-021>024-PAZ070-101-
102-222000-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-
CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-DELAWARE-WESTERN CHESTER-
EASTERN CHESTER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER...GEORGETOWN...
REHOBOTH BEACH...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...EASTON...
DENTON...PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...MILLVILLE...HAMMONTON...
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE...OCEAN CITY...MEDIA...HONEY BROOK...
OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...KENNETT SQUARE
846 AM EST FRI JAN 22 2016

...SNOW TO IMPACT THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING RUSH...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO OVERSPREAD THE AREA FROM SOUTH TO NORTH LATER
TODAY...BETWEEN 3 PM AND 5 PM IN EASTERN MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN
DELAWARE...BETWEEN 5 PM AND 7 PM IN NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND, NORTHERN
DELAWARE AND FAR SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...AND BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM
TOWARD PHILADELPHIA AND ITS SOUTHERN SUBURBS.

WITH TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE 20S ONCE THE SNOW STARTS, THE
ROADS WILL QUICKLY BECOME SNOW COVERED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE
INTENSITY OF THE SNOW INCREASES. BE PREPARED FOR RAPIDLY
DETERIORATING ROAD CONDITIONS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING
COMMUTE, PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE DELMARVA, WHERE THERE IS A
POTENTIAL FOR A COUPLE OF INCHES OF SNOW TO FALL BY THE TAIL END
OF THE EVENING COMMUTE.

KLEIN

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, New Castle

When
January 22, 2:00 PM EST to January 24, 2:00 AM EST
Where
New Castle forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.578, -75.639 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 35 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times. Some snowfall totals include 16.3 inches in Talleyville, 16.1 inches at New Castle County Airport, 14.1 inches in Hockessin, 12.0 inches in Claymont, 10.5 inches in Newport, and 10.1 inches in Glasgow.

Winter Storm, Kent

When
January 22, 2:00 PM EST to January 24, 2:00 AM EST
Where
Kent forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 35 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times. Some snowfall totals include 17.2 inches in Woodside, 14.8 inches in Harrington, 14.2 inches in Dover, 12.0 inches in Magnolia, 10.3 inches in Frederica, 9.7 inches in Smyrna, 9.0 inches near Milford, and 8.7 inches near Camden.

Winter Storm, Inland Sussex

When
January 22, 2:00 PM EST to January 24, 2:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Sussex forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 45 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times. Some snowfall totals include 8.8 inches in Laurel, 7.8 inches near Georgetown, 7.4 inches in Ellendale, 7.0 inches in Seaford, and 5.0 inches in Delmar.

Winter Storm, Delaware Beaches

When
January 22, 2:00 PM EST to January 24, 2:00 AM EST
Where
Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rain began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd before changing to snow during the overnight hours, continuing through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 50 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times. Some snowfall totals included 5.2 inches in Bethany Beach, 3.0 inches in Rehoboth Beach, and 2.6 inches in Lewes.

The prolonged onshore flow associated with this storm produced record flooding during the morning high tide cycle on January 23rd. The NOAA NOS gage near the Atlantic Coast at Lewes rose above 7.0 ft MLLW at 0632EST, peaked at 9.27 ft MLLW at 0812EST, and dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 1125EST. 7.0 ft MLLW is considered the lower threshold for moderate flooding in that area. The previous record flood at this gage occurred on March 6, 1962 when the water level reached 9.2 ft MLLW. Moderate flooding occurred again at Lewes during the evening high tide when the water level rose to 7.0 ft MLLW at 1906EST, peaked at 7.22 ft MLLW at 2124EST, and dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 2142EST. During the Sunday morning high tide cycle on January 24th, the water level rose to 7.0 feet MLLW at 0818EST, peaked at 7.07 ft MLLW at 0824EST, then dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 0854EST. Coastal towns experienced significant flooding due to the storm. Numerous dune breaches occurred along the Atlantic Coast, and low-lying communities around the inland bays experienced significant flooding as well. Dozens of residents were evacuated from the Long Neck and Oak Orchard areas, with high water and power outages hitting several bayside neighborhoods.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Delaware in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Delaware, January 2016

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: 615106, 615108, 615109, 615111.