Largest Snowstorm To Hit Coastal New Jersey In 6 Years!!...
Introduction:
After an entire winter with well below average snowfall, and only one moderate snowstorm in February of this year, the State of New Jersey endured one of its largest storms since February of 2006. Infact coastal areas had not seen this much snow since the Presidents day storm in 2003!
Before we get into what happened with this current storm, lets brush over the past two storms mentioned above...
Snowstorm of Feb. 11th-12th, 2006:
Just over 3 years ago, the state of New Jersey encountered one of its larger snowstorms. Widespread snow totals had ranged from 8-16 inches with a more narrow band of 16-20 inches, and isolated areas of over 20 inches. Areas along, and near the Coast received a general 4-8 inches of snow. The heaviest totals were reported across the Northern half of New Jersey. The highest reported snow total from this storm was 20 inches at East Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Presidents Day Storm of 2003:
This is one of the most memorable snowstorms in all of weather history for the state of New Jersey since the Blizzard of 1996. The presidents day snowstorm dropped no less then 12 inches at any one spot in the State of New Jersey. Widespread snow totals of 15-20 inches were common, with slightly smaller areas of 20-27 inches across the State. All totals above include coastal areas as well. The highest reported snow total for this storm was 27 inches at Green Pond, Morris County, New Jersey.
March 1st-2nd, 2009 Snowstorm Review:
About one week in advance weather models were showing the potential of an east coast storm. The way the winter has been however, left meteorologist, and weather enthusiasts leery. Infact the storm never did go nearly as planed as the models had shown just days before. About 2-3 days prior to the storm computer models began indicating that two low pressure system were going to form, instead of just one strong low pressure system. The first would not phase with additional energy being ejected through the center of the Country, southeast towards the Gulf coast. This resulted in two batches of precipitation. The first low pressure system and its associated precipitation of mainly rain/ wintry mix, did not prove to be that significant. The second low pressure system though, that had formed over the southeast, and was being depicted in models to be the more significant storm system, held pretty much up to its potential. The second low pressure system gained strength and significant amounts of moisture as it moved Northeast, and up the east coast.
As the low pressure system moved near Cape Hatteras, heavy amounts of moisture were being brought into the system, resulting in heavy snow. Also a dry slot, became very distinct on satellite and radar imagery. This dry slot, resulted in the reduction of expected snow totals for NJ, as it easily prevented an additional 2-5 inches of snow from falling. Although significant mesoscale banding made up for the dry slot, along the coast. After the dry slot moved north of the region deformation snow aided by the upper level low lagging behind the surface low over the coastal waters resulted in moderate to occasionally heavy snow to continue until around noontime, for New Jersey. This deformation axis brought an additional 1-5 inches of snow to the region.
During the height of the storm, Doppler radar estimates indicate that snowfall rates reached up to 3 inches per hour for a time, especially along the coast. Also as the deformation axis moved through snowfall rates once again reached around 2-3 inches per hour, for a short period of time. These very heavy snowfall rates occurred due to strong mesoscale banding, from the impressive dynamics of the storm system.
As the dry slot moved in prior to the deformation axis snow, winds began increasing, and continued to be strong until Tuesday morning. Sustained winds ranged from 15-25MPH with occasional gusts to 45MPH. This wind resulted in blowing and drifting of the snow. Many schools in New Jersey were closed not only Monday but on Tuesday as well.
Widespread snow accumulations ranged from 6-10inches for much of interior New Jersey, to a swatch of 10-12 inches along the coast, with isolated areas seeing in excess of 12 inches of snow across Eastern New Jersey, the largest area of 12+ inches of snow occurred in Ocean County New Jersey just south, and east of Brick, NJ along a line from Mantoloking to Silverton, and points south and east to Barnegat Pines and over to Island Beach State Park. The highest reported snow total from this storm was 13.5 inches in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Below are few snow totals from the storm...
Atlantic County
Northfield - 12.4"
Atlantic City - 11.3"
Estell Manor - 10.3"
Egg Harbor City - 9.0"
Burlington County
New Lisbon - 10.5"
Tabernacle - 9.7"
Mount Holly - 9.0"
Marlton - 6.0"
Cape May County
Eldora - 10.5"
Dennisville - 10.2"
Seaville - 9.5"
Petersburg - 9.0"
Woodbine - 9.0"
Wildwood Crest - 6.8"
North Cape May - 6.2"
Cape May Point - 4.5"
Monmouth County
Colts Neck - 13.5"
Freehold - 12.5"
Holmdel - 12.0"
Farmingdale - 10.0"
Tinton Falls - 9.5"
Ocean County
Barnegat Light - 12.5"
Point Pleasent - 11.0"
Bayville - 10.5"
Tuckerton - 10.5"
Whiting - 10.5"
Harvey Cedars - 10.0"
Brick - 9.0"
Sussex County
Hopatcong - 10.6"
Sparta - 8.5"
Wantage - 6.0"
Newton - 4.0"
Snowfall totals are courtesy of the National Weather Service, its associated Skywarn spotters, employees, and ham operators, as well as the general public. Also a special thanks to my Aunt, and cousins for giving me up to date conditions, and snowfall measurements throughout the storm.
Conclusion:
This winter storm was easily the most significant storm, the state of New Jersey has experienced in the past 3 years. Coastal, and near coastal areas of Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties have not seen a storm like this for the past 6 years.
Along with these storms, looking back at winter weather history from 2000 - Current, I have put together some statistics, on winter storms. I do want to urge this is using data from 2000 - Current, not since records began back in the late 1800's. So with the data I gathered on average since 2000, 1-3 significant snowfalls of 4 inches or more occur every year. With only 1 major winter storm producing widespread 10 or more inches of snow only once per 3-5 years. Especially along the coastal areas. With that said, for any snow lovers who happen to live in the snow deprived (Compared to New England) state of New Jersey, then you will likely have to wait another 3-5 years for a big storm. This goes especially for coastal areas. In far Northwestern New Jersey larger snow totals occur a bit more often. Until the next big winter storm, enjoy!!!
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE!
Image Courtesy Of The National Weather Service Out Of Mount Holly...
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