The National Weather Service has posted a Blizzard Warning for the Borough and all of Cape May County.  The Warning is in effect from Wednesday, January 3rd at 9:00pm through Thursday, January 4th, at 7:00pm.  The updated forecast calls for the potential of between six to ten inches of snow for our region.  The storm is also expected to have wind gusts approaching 50mph which will make driving difficult and may result in scattered power outages.

The winter coastal storm is expected to intensify during the evening hours Thursday and begin to spread snow over our region Thursday night and during the overnight hours Friday.  The storm will have strong gusty winds and create blowing snow conditions.  Drifting of snow is likely during this storm event.  The majority of the storm is expected to out of our region by the late afternoon hours on Thursday.

Please exercise extreme caution while driving and understand that road conditions may be poor.  There could be scattered power outages as a result of this storm; if you experience an outage, contact Atlantic City Electric’s outage number at 1-800-833-7476.  If you have any emergency, dial 911.

In addition, the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for the region for Thursday, January 4th, from 8:00am until 2:00pm.  Minor coastal flooding may occur during the storm event, and may be difficult to see due to blowing and drifting snow.  High tide will occur at the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City at 9:28am.

Please be advised that as of this writing, Stone Harbor Borough Hall is scheduled for a delayed opening at 12 Noon on Thursday.

Continue to follow forecasts on traditional media outlets, and check this website for updated information during this storm.

Here is the text of the Blizzard Warning and the Coastal Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service:

Blizzard Warning

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ

317 PM EST Wed Jan 3 2018

 

…High Impact Storm including the aftermath of wind driven

record cold on its way to our area…

 

…A rapidly intensifying coastal storm will produce significant

snowfall and strong winds tonight through Thursday…

 

NJZ013-014-020-022>027-041000-

/O.UPG.KPHI.WS.W.0001.180104T0200Z-180105T0000Z/

/O.NEW.KPHI.BZ.W.0001.180104T0200Z-180105T0000Z/

Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth-Ocean-Atlantic-Cape May-

Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-

Southeastern Burlington-

Including the cities of Freehold, Sandy Hook, Jackson, Hammonton,

Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City,

Long Beach Island, and Wharton State Forest

317 PM EST Wed Jan 3 2018

 

…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST

THURSDAY…

 

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions expected. Travel will be very

dangerous to impossible, including during the morning commute on

Thursday. Tree branches could fall as well. Total snow

accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are expected.

 

* WHERE…Portions of central and southern New Jersey.

 

* WHEN…From 9 PM this evening to 7 PM EST Thursday.

 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause

whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of

the snow is likely. Scattered power outages could develop

Thursday and Friday which would force considerable hardship

where heat would not be available.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

 

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are

expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds

and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout

conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If

you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get

stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for

the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

 

$$

 

 

Coastal Flood Advisory

Coastal Hazard Message

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ

111 PM EST Wed Jan 3 2018

 

NJZ022>025-040715-

/O.CON.KPHI.CF.Y.0001.180104T1300Z-180104T1900Z/

Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-

111 PM EST Wed Jan 3 2018

 

…COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM EST

THURSDAY…

 

* LOCATIONS…Coastal areas of southern New Jersey.

 

* COASTAL FLOODING…Minor flooding is anticipated around the

time of high tide Thursday morning.

 

* TIMING…High tide on the southern New Jersey ocean front

occurs around 930 am. High tide on the back bays occurs later

than the high tide on the ocean front.

 

* SURGE…Half a foot to a foot above astronomical tide.

 

* WAVES…4 to 8 feet.

 

* IMPACTS…Localized roadway flooding is expected. Some roads

may be closed due to high water. In addition, stagnant flood

waters may freeze on road surfaces.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

 

A Coastal Flood Advisory means that minor tidal flooding is

expected. Minor Tidal flooding often results in some road

closures. Usually…the most vulnerable roadways will flood.

 

Do not leave your vehicle at a location that is prone to tidal

flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The

water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting

yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged…leading to

costly repairs.

 

Visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at

water.weather.gov/ahps for additional water level and flood

impact information for your local tide gauge.