The National Weather Service has officially posted a Winter Storm Warning for the Borough and the rest of Cape May County. The Warning is in effect from Tuesday at 10am through Wednesday at 6am, January 21st-22nd.
A major winter storm will come up the eastern seaboard of the United States and spread snow over the Mid-Atlantic region starting Tuesday afternoon. Snowfall accumulations have been increased to a prediction of between five and nine inches of snow. The storm will form off the coastline of New Jersey and put snow over our region. The snow could begin during the early to mid afternoon hours on Tuesday, increase Tuesday evening and Tuesday night, and end during the overnight hours on Wednesday morning. Snow could fall at a rate of one inch per hour during the evening on Tuesday.
Hazardous driving conditions are likely on Tuesday evening and into Tuesday night. If you have to drive, please do so with caution as snow will fall heavily. Winds will pick up on Tuesday night with gusts to 45mph. The forecast calls for the possibility of blowing snow and freezing spray on Tuesday night. Some power outages are possible during the height of this storm on Tuesday night. Wind chill values will reach –5 on Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. The storm departs to sunshine on Wednesday, but with a high temperature of only 19 degrees with wind chills at –7.
Please exercise caution during this winter storm. If you can avoid driving on Tuesday evening, please do so. If you have any emergency during this snow event, please dial 9–1-1. Pay attention to traditional media outlets for updates on the forecast and conditions.
Here is the text of the Winter Storm Warning posted late Monday afternoon by the National Weather Service:
Statement as of 2:58 PM EST on January 20, 2014
… Winter Storm Warning in effect from 10 am Tuesday to 6 am EST
Wednesday…
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Winter
Storm Warning for snow, which is in effect from 10 am Tuesday to
6 am EST Wednesday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in
effect.
* Snow accumulations… 5 to 9 inches.
* Timing… snow will overspread the area toward late Tuesday
morning and the midday hours, then continue through much of
Tuesday night. The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday
afternoon and evening, with snowfall rates of around an inch per
hour.
* Impacts… travel will become hazardous due to snow covered roads
and periods of low visibility. Areas of blowing and drifting
snow will develop especially later Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday
night as winds increase, resulting in significantly reduced
visibilities at times. The Tuesday afternoon and evening rush
hour will be significantly impacted.
* Winds… northeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Tuesday
afternoon, becoming north and northwest Tuesday night.
* Temperatures… mainly in the 20s Tuesday, then falling through
the teens and single digits Tuesday night.
* Wind chills… mainly around 10 degrees Tuesday, then dropping
to around 10 below zero Tuesday night. These values can quickly
cause frostbite to exposed skin and lead to hypothermia.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow are
expected. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel
very hazardous or impossible.
Areas of blowing and drifting snow will greatly reduce the
visibility especially in open areas later Tuesday afternoon and
Tuesday night. This will result in snow blowing back onto
previously plowed roadways. Use extra caution while driving.