The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Warning and a Coastal Flood Watch for the Borough of Stone Harbor. The Storm Warning is in effect from Noon Monday until 6:00pm Tuesday; the Flood Watch is in effect Monday evening through late Monday night.
An approaching winter storm will cause major travel problems for a large portion of the Mid Atlantic and New England Region over the next 72 hours. The storm is expected to begin overnight Sunday into Monday morning with a light mix of rain and snow. In our community, the rain and snow will change to rain for a period of time during the day on Monday before switching over to all snow Monday night into Tuesday morning. The most significant snowfall is expected Monday night into Tuesday morning. This storm has the potential to drop a foot of snow in our region; however, these snowfall totals may vary to some degree depending on future updates from the National Weather Service and depending on when cold air changes the rain to snow.
In addition, there is a coastal flooding concern to be aware of. Monday night’s high tide may bring minor to moderate coastal flooding in flood prone areas of the Borough of Stone Harbor. High tide occurs at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City at 12:41pm, and again early Tuesday morning at 1:24am. The early Tuesday morning high tide is of most concern at this point. Please keep in mind this high tide event is expected to occur at the time when the snowfall may be heaviest, and at its peak. If you live on a street that typically floods during high tide you should consider moving your vehicle to higher ground. It will be difficult to determine the extent of the high tide early Tuesday morning due to darkness and the forecasted snowfall.
Please make preparations for this storm. Strong winds will accompany this storm so be sure to secure any outdoor objects like trash cans, patio chairs and the like. Report any power outages directly to Atlantic City Electric. Exercise caution while driving, especially late Monday night and Tuesday morning since snow may blanket our high tide event. If you have any emergency, please dial 911. Continue to follow updates to the storm on this website and on traditional media outlets, including Shore TV Channel 97.
Here is the text of the Winter Storm Warning and the Coastal Flood Watch provided by the National Weather Service Sunday at 4:45pm:
Winter Storm Warning in effect from noon Monday to 6 PM EST
Tuesday…
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Winter
Storm Warning for heavy snow, which is in effect from noon Monday
to 6 PM EST Tuesday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in
effect.
* Hazard types… heavy snow with blowing and drifting.
* Snow accumulations… 10 to 18 inches.
* Timing… precipitation on Monday should be a mix of rain and
snow, although there may be a brief period of all rain for some
areas. However, any mixed precipitation is expected to change
to all snow Monday evening and become heavy at times through
Tuesday morning before tapering off.
* Impacts… some impact on the Monday morning commute, then
significant and widespread impacts developing Monday evening and
continuing through Tuesday afternoon. Areas of blowing and
drifting snow will become a factor during Monday night and
Tuesday.
* Winds… northeast 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Monday,
then becoming north 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph Monday
night into Tuesday.
* Temperatures… mainly in the lower to mid 30s Monday, then
dropping into the upper 20s Monday night and Tuesday morning.
* Visibilities… as low as one quarter mile at times.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and
ice are expected, and strong winds are possible. This will make
travel very hazardous.
Coastal Flood Watch in effect from Monday evening through late
Monday night…
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a coastal
Flood Watch. It is in effect from Monday evening through late
Monday night.
* Location… coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware, including
Delaware Bay.
* Coastal flooding… moderate flooding is anticipated around the
time of Monday night’s high tide.
* At Atlantic City, New Jersey (oceanfront) high tide occurs at
1250 am Tuesday, with a forecast tide level near 7.0 feet above
mean lower low water.
* At Cape May, New Jersey (oceanfront) high tide occurs at 124 am
Tuesday, with a forecast tide level 7.5 to 8.0 feet above mean
lower low water.
* At Lewes, Delaware (delaware bay) high tide occurs at 159 am
Tuesday, with a forecast tide level near 7.0 feet above mean
lower low water.
* High tide on the back bays, along Delaware Bay and along
Raritan Bay occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront.
* Seas… wave heights on the ocean waters are forecast to range
from 10 to 16 feet with breaking waves expected to range from 5
to 8 feet. Waves on Delaware Bay are forecast to be 3 to 7 feet.
* Impacts… numerous roadways will flood and minor to moderate
property damage is likely. The Tides and wave action will result
in moderate to severe beach erosion.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
This coastal Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for
the development of moderate coastal flooding. Pay close attention
to updated forecasts and statements and take appropriate action to
protect life and property. Follow the recommendations of local
emergency management officials.
For a list of the impact of different tide heights in your County
