The National Weather Service’s Blizzard Warning for the Borough and for Cape May County is set to expire on Thursday, January 4th, at 7:00pm. There is a Wind Chill Advisory in effect starting on Friday, January 5th at 1:00am until Saturday, January 6th at 12 Noon for sub-zero wind chill factors following this storm.

The Borough has received well above 12 inches of snow during this blizzard. Little new snow is expected during the evening hours as the storm begins to wind off the coastline. However, very strong winds will follow this storm with dangerously cold wind chill values. Overnight, the winds will be gusting to 40mph out of the northwest. On Friday, sunshine returns but with daytime highs below 20 degrees, gusty winds to 40mph, and wind chill values of -4. Saturday, and Saturday night, the forecast calls for slightly colder temperatures.

The Avalon Department of Public Works has been operating plows and equipment for over 18 hours. Road crews are challenged by the high winds that continue to blow snow onto streets after they have been plowed. Some snow drifts have also formed next to buildings and homes that are in some cases a few feet in height. With the increased winds following this storm comes the enhanced risk of power outages. If you have an outage, contact Atlantic City Electric directly at 1-800-833-7476. If you have any emergency, dial 911.

Driving continues to be difficult during this storm event. Please stay off the roads. If you must drive, please do so with extreme caution. Never attempt to drive over or through any mounds of snow. At times, the Avalon Police Department may have to close the roadway leading to the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge for safety reasons. That roadway was closed for several hours on Thursday during the height of the storm.

If you suddenly find your home with no heat, the Borough of Avalon has established a warming center at the Avalon Senior Center, located on the north side of Avalon Borough Hall. The Center is available for anyone to use to escape the cold weather.

The Avalon Free Public Library and the Avalon History Center are both closed on Friday, January 5th. Cape May County Fare Free Transportation regular service is cancelled for January 5th; Meals on Wheels and dialysis trips will continue to be provided. For an updated list of cancellations or delayed openings, please visit our municipal website, www.avalonboro.net

Here is the text of the Wind Chill Advisory issued by the National Weather Service:

 

Wind Chill Advisory

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 459 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2018   DEZ003-004-NJZ013-014-020-022>027-051000- /O.CON.KPHI.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-180105T0000Z/ /O.CON.KPHI.WC.Y.0001.180105T0600Z-180106T1700Z/ Inland Sussex-Delaware Beaches-Western Monmouth-Eastern Monmouth- Ocean-Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May- Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-Southeastern Burlington- Including the cities of Georgetown, Rehoboth Beach, Freehold, Sandy Hook, Jackson, Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, and Wharton State Forest 459 PM EST Thu Jan 4 2018 …

 

BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING… …WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO NOON EST SATURDAY… * WHAT…Blizzard conditions occurring. Very cold wind chills   expected. Travel will be very dangerous to impossible,   including during the evening commute. Tree branches could fall   as well. Expect wind chills to range from 0 to 15 below zero. * WHERE…Portions of central and southern New Jersey and   southern Delaware. * WHEN…For the Blizzard Warning, until 7 PM EST this evening.   For the Wind Chill Advisory, from 1 AM Friday to noon EST   Saturday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will   cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant   drifting of the snow is likely. The cold wind chills will   cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. 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. A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Frost bite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and gloves.