Dark Star

Already a dusting here (central Union County, NJ). Surprised it started so early, I thought the dry air would eat away at the snow.

Snow showers approaching the Bayway Refinery in Linden from the west?

Interesting at 7:30PM the NEXRAD radar was showing the precipitation shield "leap-frog" northeast NJ about 50-100 miles northeast. This would seem that there was an energy transfer just as the storm approached our area? Quite a tease, as we watched the precipitation move in a uniform manner from West Virginia, and then all of a sudden, skipped over our area. Then again, precipitation doesn't actually act (or move) as a vehicle driving along a highway. Rather, the low pressure system is continually propagating itself, as if the low pressure system is actually continually building the road out ahead of the vehicle.

Meteorological Winter began December 01st and ends February 28th. The general consensus is that most of January seems lost to receiving much snow, barring a significant change in the persistent Pacific jet and its influence on the overall pattern. That leaves February...

Flurries invaded Linden NJ around noontime.

Had a slight amount of sleet mixed in with drizzle yesterday afternoon around 2 PM. After that, it was all plain rain in central Union county NJ.

thanks for the analysis!

Flurrying here also in Linden NJ (Tremley Pt.). There was a slight chance of snow showers predicted for last night (but not by the NWS).

As of 5 PM, Garwood in Central Union County NJ had received 1.5". I had stated that the storm for my area was for all intent was pretty much over. We then received an additional 1.0" overnight, but nothing of significance. (However, utilizing the measuring rules, I only received 2.0" of the white stuff.) At 5PM, the radar had begun to shrink. While some of the remaining precipitation shield remained intact (and eventually rotated through), there was no further development. I have yet to see a system begin to intensify, die out, and then re-intensify. Amazingly, the general forecasts for this storm were fairly close. At least I got out of work early.

Agreed. Jeff Beradelli always says that the devil is in the details. I wonder if anyone would care to dissect this event and choose the model that closest predicted this event 72, 48, and 24 hours out?

Seems like the precip shield is drying up? Appears to be 30-50 miles surrounding NYC, and that's it?

if the sun angle is an issue 20 days from the Winter Solstice, when is the sun angle NOT a factor?

A brief period of sleet mixing in at 7:45AM in Linden NJ.

Light freezing rain, to sleet, back to freezing rain, now plain rain here in Garwood NJ (Central Union County) Tough sell for accumulating snow tomorrow?

Could someone please bring the SACRUS "STORM TRACKING IMAGES" back onto page 1, preferably within the top 5 topics? I fear it will eventually get lost, and is a great tracking tool for now-casting.

Just witnessed a low hanging cloud over Linden rotating, albeit slowly, as it crossed the Turnpike.

While I understand using the last 20 years for the average, I don't agree. My argument is that a record cold temperature utilizes all the years, while the average temperature only encompasses the past 20 years. Another definition difficult to swallow is the definition of a blizzard. At some point, "they" dropped the temperature condition. "They" also point out that it doesn't have to be snowing to have blizzard conditions. I totally disagree. A blizzard should have snowfall rates in the definition. Living in New Jersey, I realize I never had to put up with sustained blowing and drifting snow like in the upper Midwest. Those conditions should have a whole term denoted onto itself.

Light snow falling here in the Tremley Point section of Linden, NJ (Union County).

Line appears to be falling apart as it exited the Harrisburg area.

Light snow in Linden NJ. However, what little dusting that began to accumulate has melted already as temp has risen to 32.5 F. the Dewpoint is 27.5 F. I expected the temp to stay below 32 until the dewpoint rose a little higher, but I was wrong. Transition soon?

Light coating here in Garwood (central Union county, NJ).

5.5" her in Garwood, NJ (central Union County). Sleeting now.

Snow in Linden at 34 degrees, DP is 27. Visibility is 1/2 mile or less.

First Snow shower here in Garwood NJ (central Union County)!!!