winter_storm_warning

The National Weather Service has continued the Winter Storm Warning, the High Wind Warning, and the Coastal Flood Warning for the Borough of Stone Harbor. The major winter storm has arrived in our region, and snow began falling in the Borough around 4:00pm. Shortly before 5:00pm, moderate snow was falling in Stone Harbor with calm winds and currently no coastal flooding concerns; that will change over the next 36 hours.

A major storm will bring widespread moderate to perhaps major coastal flooding in some seashore communities during the two high tides on Saturday, and the morning high tide on Sunday.

Snow is expected to fall during the Friday evening and into the Friday night/Saturday morning hours with accumulating snowfall likely. The snow may change over to a wintry mix overnight or by daybreak tomorrow in advance of the high tide event. Please remember that snow on streets can cover streets that are flooded; extreme caution is advised while driving during this storm event, including at time of high tide. A changeover to rain is expected on Saturday before a change back to snow before the storm ends Saturday night or Sunday morning. There will be very strong winds associated with this storm event, with gusts to 60mph or greater. We anticipate heavy surf and beach erosion.

High tide will occur at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City on Saturday at 7:17am and again at 7:43pm, and again on Sunday at 8:00am and again at 8:27pm.

Residents who live on a street that typically floods during coastal storms should move their vehicles to higher ground. Do not park your vehicle on any bridge in Stone Harbor. Street flooding is expected during both high tides on Saturday, and the morning high tide on Sunday. Never attempt to drive on any street covered by water; this puts you, your vehicle, and emergency responders in harm’s way. Driving on a flooded street also creates an unnecessary wake that could cause property damage to homes and businesses. Water on a street is always deeper than you believe it is.

The High Wind Warning means that Stone Harbor will likely experience steady winds out of the northeast at 35-45mph, with gusts at 60mph or greater. This can result in downed power lines, downed trees, and other hazards in the roadway. Please take this opportunity to bring inside (or secure) objects prone to strong winds including patio furniture and trash cans. Contractors are asked to secure their job sites to prevent debris from being scattered through neighborhoods.

Power out­ages are pos­si­ble dur­ing this storm event due to the strong winds. If you expe­ri­ence a power out­age, do not assume some­one else has called in the out­age. Call the Atlantic City Elec­tric out­age num­ber at 1–800-833-7476. You may also visit opens in a new windowwww.atlanticcityelectric.com to the view the cur­rent out­age map for their ser­vice area. If you have any emer­gency, please dial 911.

Here is the update for the Delaware Valley provided by the National Weather Service Office in Mt. Holly, NJ. This PDF represents storm impacts from the Poconos through the southern shore region:Natiional Weather Service Storm Update January 22 4pm

Here is the updated forecast courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Rain, snow, and sleet before 2am, then rain and sleet between 2am and 4am, then rain after 4am. Low around 31. Windy, with a northeast wind 15 to 25 mph increasing to 26 to 36 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday: Rain before 7am, then rain and sleet between 7am and 10am, then rain after 10am. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 41. Very windy, with a northeast wind 34 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday Night: Snow. Areas of blowing snow between 1am and 4am. Low around 26. Windy, with a north wind 33 to 38 mph decreasing to 26 to 31 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Sunday: Snow likely, mainly before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.