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, the Borough of Avalon Borough Hall, Community Hall, Public Works, and History Center will be having a delayed opening at 12 Noon. Please continue to follow www.avalonboro.net for updated event closing/delayed opening information. The Borough of Avalon has established a warming center during this storm event at the Avalon Senior Center, located adjacent to Borough Hall at 31st Street and Dune Drive. The warming center is available for any property owner or resident who is suddenly without heat.
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.