A winter storm brought widespread light snowfall accumulations across the region, with a narrow mesoscale band of heavy snowfall occurring near and just south of I-78. The heaviest snowfall occurred in a band only about 10 to 15 miles wide or less from Berks County, PA eastward toward Raritan Bay in New Jersey with totals near a foot.
Every event with a place to put it; 21 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.
A winter storm brought widespread light snowfall accumulations across the region, with a narrow mesoscale band of heavy snowfall occurring near and just south of I-78. The heaviest snowfall occurred in a band only about 10 to 15 miles wide or less from Berks County, PA eastward toward Raritan Bay in New Jersey with totals near a foot. A coating of snow also occurred well north and south of the band with amounts around 2 to 4. While total snowfall amounts within the band were rather impressive, generally falling within about 3-4 hours, impacts were limited as roadway temperatures hovered near freezing and the snowfall occurred late on a Friday night and early Saturday morning.
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 Feb 16, 9:19 PM EST, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
919 PM EST Fri Feb 16 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure will quickly move across the Mid-Atlantic and then
out to sea through Saturday morning. High pressure then builds
closer to our Sunday into Monday. A weak cold front may settle
into our area Monday into Tuesday, then high pressure build in
on Wednesday. An area of low pressure may arrive Thursday night
or Friday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
A surface low is forecast to track across the southern Appalachians
tonight and off the coast of the Delmarva by Saturday morning. The
system remains accompanied by plentiful of energy aloft with sufficient
moisture through the atmospheric column. Cold air remains in place
so temps will be below freezing across majority of the forecast area
as the storm track remains to our south. Still, the exception is
across extreme southern NJ and southern DE where some mixing is likely
to occur for portions of the night. Nonetheless, atmospheric profiles
continue to support a widespread snowfall event. The previously advertised
onset times look good with western areas starting shortly 10/11PM
and then spreading east into NJ by midnight. The airmass remains
quite dry but as seen with upstream obs, the vsbys decrease
quickly once the snow arrives.
We haven't made any drastic changes with the evening update. A
few of the latest HRRR runs are showing some lower overall totals
with the higher totals migrating north towards RDG/ABE/TTN. It
still appears that a widespread 0.25-0.40" of liquid precipitation,
where the lesser values will be far north and the greater values
will be to the central areas. Snow-to-liquid ratios (SLRs) will
generally be in the 9:1-12:1 range across portions of the Delmarva
and Cape May County with SLRs in the 12:1-16:1 range across SE
PA and NJ. There will also be a fairly deep dendritic growth zone
basis forecast soundings overnight, which will support the higher
snowfall rates. In addition, most of the available CAM guidance
depicts one or two f-gen bands developing overnight...roughly
in the 2AM-6AM timeframe. In these bands, HREF/HRRR/NAM guidance
supports that snowfall rates will average close to 1.0"/hr, possibly
greater. With this being said...there will be periods of moderate
to heavy snow tonight, depending on exactly where these bands setup.
Right now the general thinking is across the northern DE, southwest
NJ and southeast PA; including the Philadelphia metro.
We will keep the ongoing WSW flags 'as is' with Winter Storm
Warnings for accumulations of 4-6 inches for the following counties:
New Castle in DE; Chester, Delaware, lower Montgomery, lower
Bucks, and Philadelphia in PA; and Salem, Gloucester, Camden,
and northern Burlington in NJ. Elsewhere, Winter Weather
Advisories remain in place while also adding both Sussex (NJ)
and Morris into the advisories. In the advisory areas, snowfall
accumulations will generally range from 1-4 inches, possibly up
to 5 inches where needed warning criteria is greater. All winter
headlines are in effect from 10 PM tonight until 10 AM Saturday.
The heaviest of snow will exit quickly off the coast around or after
daybreak Saturday. Some residual snow showers may linger into
the late morning hours as the system departs, but most of the
accumulation will have occurred by that time. A few snow showers
or possibly even some squalls off the Great Lakes may make
their way into the southern Poconos and northern NJ as shortwave
energy aloft crosses the area. Further accumulations will be
rather minimal, but may cause some additional hazardous travel.
Otherwise, the rest of the area will encounter partial clearing
through the afternoon. Gusty winds will increase as the system
departs up to 25-30 mph but will remain below headline criteria.
Highs on Saturday will be in the low 30s to near 40.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
An upper-level trough is forecast to gradually retreat northward,
more and more away from the Mid-Atlantic region into Monday. Any
snow shower or flurries mainly across the northwestern areas should
quickly dissipate to start Saturday evening. A potentially strong
shortwave trough then in the Central Plains Monday should start to
slide mainly to our south as we go into Monday night. As the
aforementioned trough retreats northward, surface low pressure will
go with it however an associated weak cold front should settle
through our area into Monday. Surface high pressure then builds over
our area during Monday. Moisture and forcing look rather
limited/weak with the frontal passage and therefore maintained a dry
forecast.
It will be cold Saturday night with a mostly clear sky, diminishing
wind and low dew points. All areas are forecast to drop into the low
to mid 20s with even mid to upper teens. Some gradual warming is
then forecast through Monday. High temperatures are currently
forecast to be at or a few degrees below average.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Summary...Turning milder overall with precipitation chances
returning Thursday night and Friday. Some potential for a stronger
storm Friday, however there is a lot uncertainty.
Synoptic Overview...An upper-level trough shifts around between
central to eastern Canada Tuesday, then this trough is forecast to
amplify south and eastward some Wednesday through Friday. A cold
front in our vicinity may tend to dissipate Tuesday. An area of low
pressure organizes across the Plains and shifts eastward and may
then arrive in our area late Thursday and Friday. The main upper-
level trough may then amplify more Friday, and there is some model
guidance that shows a strong surface low tracking near or just off
of our coast Friday. This scenario is highly uncertain this far out
in time.
For Tuesday and Wednesday...A surface front across or south of our
area may tend to dissipate on Tuesday. Despite the front that
arrived, the air mass does not look to be really cooling and
therefore temperatures should be inching their way upward, with
forecast high temperatures above average. The main upper-level
trough in Central Canada is forecast to start amplifying south and
eastward some Wednesday, and a cold front will be at the leading
edge of this. It still appears that lingering surface high pressure
will be wedged across our area and therefore keeping our region dry.
For Thursday and Friday...The evolution of the upper-level flow is
forecast to undergo some amplification with time. A lead shortwave
may support a separate trough or closed low sliding off the
Southeast U.S. coast. Meanwhile, stronger shortwave energy diving
southeastward across the northern tier of states and result in the
Canadian upper-level trough amplifying southward and eastward with
time. This should also support surface low development in the Plains
along a front. This all shifts eastward and starts to arrive in our
area, however the timing is less certain as it will depend on the
strength of the surface low and associated trough. Increasing warm
air advection ahead of this system should translate to milder
temperatures with the warmest day looking to be Thursday, then some
cooling may take place Friday as the next system affects our area.
As of now, the air mass looks mild enough for mainly rain as the
precipitation type. This is however all highly dependent on the
positioning, timing and strength of the trough an associated surface
low. As of now, slight chance to low end chance PoPs (20-30 percent)
are in the forecast for much of the area Thursday, then these
increase into the chance range (30-50 percent) for the entire area
Thursday night and Friday.
&&
.AVIATION /02Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG,
KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.
Tonight...VFR early, will gradually step down to MVFR conditions
between 03-06z as light snow develops across the area. As the
heavier snow moves in between 06-07z to 10-11z from west to
east, periods of moderate snow are possible where ceilings will
lower down to IFR. Light NE-E winds around 5 kt or less becoming
variable at times. Moderate confidence, but lower confidence
regarding ceilings/vsbys.
Saturday...IFR early will improve to MVFR by late morning. Potential
for VFR late in the day as partial clearing occurs. W-NW winds
around 10-15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Moderate confidence.
Outlook...
Saturday night...VFR. West-northwest winds diminishing to 5-10
knots, becoming west-southwest. Moderate confidence.
Sunday...VFR. West-southwest winds 10-15 knots with gusts to 25
knots, diminishing some at night. Moderate confidence.
Monday...VFR. Northwest winds around 10 knots, diminishing at
night. Moderate confidence.
Tuesday and Wednesday...VFR. Southeasterly winds 5-10 knots.
Moderate confidence.
&&
.MARINE...
A new SCA flag has been issued for the increasing winds and
seas following the departing storm Saturday.
For tonight, no marine headlines will be needed. Periods of
light to moderate snow is likely. Winds will diminish through
the first part of the night with NE-E wins around 10-15 kt.
Possible gusts up to 20 kt south of Great Egg Harbor Inlet. Seas
of 2-3 feet.
For Saturday, residual snow showers possible. N to NW winds
around 10-20 kt in the morning will become W/NW around 15-20 kt
with gusts up to 30 kt in the afternoon. SCA flags issued.
Outlook...
Saturday night and Sunday...Small Craft Advisory conditions
continuing. Fair.
Monday through Wednesday...The conditions are anticipated to be
below Small Craft Advisory criteria (25 knots/5 feet).
&&
.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM EST Saturday for PAZ070-071-
101-102-104-106.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Saturday for PAZ054-
055-060>062-103-105.
NJ...Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM EST Saturday for NJZ016>019.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Saturday for NJZ001-
007>010-012>015-020>027.
DE...Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM EST Saturday for DEZ001.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Saturday for DEZ002-
003.
MD...Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Saturday for MDZ012-
015-019-020.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from noon Saturday to 6 AM EST Monday for
ANZ430-450>452.
Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM Saturday to midnight EST Sunday
night for ANZ431-453>455.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Gorse
NEAR TERM...DeSilva/PO
SHORT TERM...Gorse
LONG TERM...Gorse
AVIATION...DeSilva/Gorse/PO
MARINE...DeSilva/Gorse/PO<!doctype html>
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
18 winter weather, 3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 4 north of I-78, but near 6 to 8 near and south of I-78. The highest snowfall report was from Riegelsville Bridge with 10.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 8 to 12 across the county along a narrow 10 to 15 mile wide band, although only 3 to 6 occurred in the northern third of the county mainly near and north of I-78. The highest snowfall report was from Alexandria Township with 14.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 8 to 12 across the county along a narrow 10 to 15 mile wide band, although only 4 to 6 occurred in the northern most portion of the county mainly near and north of I-78. The highest snowfall report was from near Bridgewater with 12.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 3 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Sparta with 2.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 4 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Millington with 5.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 3 to 5 across the county, however the extreme northern portion of the county received near 6 or more. The highest snowfall report was from Hopewell with 8.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 8 to 11 across the county along a narrow 10 to 15 mile wide band, although only 4 to 6 occurred in the southern most portion of the county and near 6 mainly near I-78. The highest snowfall reports were from New Brunswick and North Brunswick with 11.3.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 3 to 5 across the county, however the extreme northern portion of the county along Raritan Bay received near 6 to 10. The highest snowfall report was from Keansburg with 10.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 3 to 4 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Mount Laurel Township with 4.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 4 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Cherry Hill Township with 4.3.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 4 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Monroe Township with 5.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 5 across the zone, however the extreme northern portion of the county near Raritan Bay likely received near 6 to 10 based on nearby reports. The highest snowfall report was from Long Branch with 5.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 3 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Pittsgrove Township with 3.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 4 across the zone based on nearby reports.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 3 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Jackson Township with 4.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 2 to 3 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Stow Creek Township with 3.5.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 2 across the zone based on nearby reports. However, the highest snowfall report was from 2 miles north of Lavallette with 1.3.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 3 across the county. The highest snowfall report was from Hammonton with 3.4.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 2 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Margate with 2.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 3 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Woodbine with 3.0.
Snowfall totals ranged largely from around 1 to 2 across the zone. The highest snowfall report was from Ocean City with 1.6.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New Jersey in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in New Jersey, February 2024
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: 1164700, 1164661, 1164662, 1164699, 1164701, 1164702, 1164663, 1164703, 1164714, 1164718, 1164719, 1164707, 1164720, 1164715, 1164716, 1164723, 1164717, 1164721, 1164722, 1164724, 1164737.