Dark Star

It appears colder in southern NJ than even Rockland County in NY?

Aught or Naught?

And at lest this winter, we are getting cold air. which was nowhere to be found the last few years. In those years, I, myself included, would be "cancelling" winter right about now. Based on my definition of winter, if you haven't had any cold or snow by the end of January, and nothing looks good in the long range progs by the first week or two for February, then it is time to move on. This season, at January 22, 2024, we have seen WINTER, and it appears there is more winter to come on the foreseeable horizon...

8 degrees up here in Garwood (central Union County NJ). My thermometer sensor battery died from the cold last night...

For my area, blowing salt. The streets are so white, you would swear it was covered in ice or snow. The salt will be here for weeks now, getting in animals' feet, our shoes, cars, storm sewers, rivers, streams, drinking water...

My worst vacation was in the Bahamas in early spring. A cold front brought temps down so low, you couldn't even go in the pools.

I don't think one cold month can be used to say that we are back to an 80's pattern? I'll take cold air anytime, and hope for a major snowstorm in between cold snaps, especially with that nasty persistent warm Pacific jet looming...

At January 20th, I wouldn't say the cold has been wasted. My town has received 7.5" of the glorious white stuff so far. The fact that cold air has made its appearance in the northeast is a good sign. It takes a lot of things to go right to get a significant snowstorm in these parts. Cold air is one of the ingredients.

I would debate that central Union county NJ was in a bit of a "screw" zone. Around 3 PM, when the system was forecast to really start intensifying, an area of subsidence occurred and brought the intensity to a very light flizzle...

I suppose varying waves of heavier precipitation that occurs in almost nearly every storm, rain or snow events, is banding. However, I think we throw around the term as though one town receives 12" while a neighboring town receives 2". These would more appropriately be referred to as deformation zones, or areas of intense lifting caused by specific synoptic conditions? I think this would be an interesting point of discussion on one of the banter topics?

I "think" the NWS was pretty accurate with this one. There were a lot of varying forecasts from other entities, but none too far off the mark. Even though my backyard (Garwood NJ - central Union county) received 3.5", I was a little disappointed. I was hoping for a little bit of an overperformer. But with the subsidence at the exact time the heavier stuff was supposed to fall, I knew it was not to be. Even though the radar showed the "screw" zone, I was pessimistically optimistic that it would quickly fill in as some had mentioned. At least it's cold, and my fire is still burning from last night...

Banding?

Beginning to see some clearing skies...

You must have seen somebody else's post...

You must have seen somebody else's post...

Hmmm, got 3 1/4" at 8:45 PM. Didn't see it here....

Same here, yet it was snowing light to moderate at the time in Garwood, NJ...

Fast mover indeed. Looks like the heaviest line may move just slightly east of NYC, missing NE Jersey?

Yikes!

We have seen it before when a storm develops later than progged...

At one point, there was a sharp cutoff line running right through Union County. NWS is a little delayed with every tiny twist and turn. The forecasts on the previous small events gave been pretty accurate this season, but I'm a little skeptical on this one...

Unfortunately, one our neighbors, has a seasonal snow plow business. He spreads rock salt on the road, and sometimes pile of it, that stays there for weeks and gets into all the neighborhood dogs' paws, not to mention wedged in between our boot soles. Then creates a salt dust cloud, great for the cars for weeks...

You showed some temperature maps.

I like that last quote...