CURRENT BRIEFING
A substantial winter storm will impact much of our region today.
What has changed?
- The heaviest snowfall amounts have shifted slightly southward. The greatest amounts are now expected from near northern Delaware across southern New Jersey. Snowfall amounts were also increased by 1-2" across the eastern shore of Maryland and southern Delaware. Meanwhile, forecast amounts are lower by 1-2" across the northern half of our region, especially north of I-78.
- Winter Storm Warnings were added to Kent County (Both Kent in DE and MD), and inland Atlantic and Cumberland Counties in New Jersey. Meanwhile, the Warning was downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
- A Winter Weather Advisory was added to Sussex County, Delaware.
In addition to the snowfall, very cold and brisk weather will last through the weekend. As the snow ends this evening, temperatures will fall into the upper teens to near 20 degrees by 7 PM. Wind chills tonight will drop into the single digits. Any untreated surfaces with standing water will freeze and become slick. With fresh snow cover, fairly light and fluffy in nature, blowing snow may be an issue tonight into the weekend as well.
Saturday will remain very cold, with highs only in low to mid 20s with areas in the Poconos and northwest NJ staying in the 10s. Gusty northwest winds through the weekend will result in bitterly cold wind chills (single digits) and blowing snow. Winds will gradually ease somewhat on Saturday night, but expect an even colder night, with wind chills falling below zero.
Hazardous Weather: Snow
Locations affected: Our entire forecast area is forecast to receive accumulating snowfall. 4 to 6 inches are expected to fall within the Winter Storm Warning Area. The highest amounts will be located over southern New Jersey into northern Delaware, where locally higher amounts above 6 inches are possible. 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected to fall within most of the Winter Weather Advisory area.
Timing: Snow is quickly spreading into the area from west to east between 6 and 8 AM this morning. Snow will pick up in intensity, peaking for the late morning & afternoon hours, with snowfall rates between 1/2 to 3/4 an inch per hour expected. Snow will gradually taper off from west to east by late Friday evening.
Impacts: Snowfall accumulations will lead to slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions.
Confidence on occurrence: High confidence (100%) in accumulating snowfall areawide, with moderate to high confidence (60-80%) on where the heaviest snow falls. See probabilities of various snow amounts across the area for this event here: https://www.weather.gov/phi/winter#potentialGraphics
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PREVIOUS BRIEFINGS
1.18.24 - PM POSTING
What has changed?
- Snowfall amounts have increased slightly, with a widespread 3 to 6 inches of snow expected. Some spots within central New Jersey could see locally higher amounts. Lesser amounts are anticipated in far southern New Jersey and the southern half of Delmarva.
- Winter Storm Warnings have been posted for portions of southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, northern Delaware, and portions of central and southern New Jersey. This is an upgrade to the Winter Weather Advisories previously in effect for these areas.
- All of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the remainder of New Jersey counties were added to the Winter Weather Advisory.
- The Gale Watch has been upgraded to a Gale Warning for all marine zones on Saturday as gusts above 34 kt are expected.
In addition to the snowfall, very cold and brisk weather will last through the weekend. Temperatures on Friday night after snowfall ends will drop quickly into the mid to upper teens. Any untreated surfaces or standing water will freeze and become slick.
Saturday will remain very cold, with highs only in low to mid 20s with areas in the Poconos and northwest NJ staying in the 10s. Gusty northwest winds through the weekend will result in bitterly cold wind chills (single digits) and blowing snow. Winds will gradually ease somewhat on Saturday night, but expect an even colder night, with wind chills falling below zero.
Hazardous Weather: Snow
Locations affected: Our entire forecast area is forecast to receive accumulating snowfall. 4 to 6+ inches are expected to fall within the Winter Storm Warning Area. The highest amounts will be located over central New Jersey, where locally higher amounts above 6 inches are possible. 2 to 5 inches of snow are expected to fall within the Winter Weather Advisory area.
Timing: Light snow will begin to spread into the region from west to east between 4 and 7 AM Friday. Snow will pick up in intensity for the late morning & afternoon hours, with snowfall rates between 1/2 to 3/4 an inch per hour expected. Snow will gradually taper off from west to east by late Friday evening.
Impacts: Snowfall accumulations will lead to slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions.
Confidence on occurrence: High confidence (100%) in accumulating snowfall areawide, with moderate to high confidence (60-80%) on where the heaviest snow falls. See probabilities of various snow amounts across the area for this event here: https://www.weather.gov/phi/winter#potentialGraphics
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1.18.24 - AM BRIEFING
Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for much of our area on Friday from 4 AM to 10 PM. Snow amounts across the northern 2/3 of the advisory area were raised slightly from the last forecast update.
In addition to the snowfall, very cold and brisk weather will last through the weekend. Temperatures on Friday night after snowfall ends will drop quickly into the mid to upper teens. Any untreated surfaces or standing water will freeze and become slick.
Saturday will remain very cold, with highs only in low to mid 20s with areas in the Poconos and northwest NJ staying in the 10s. Gusty northwest winds on Saturday will result in bitterly cold wind chills (single digits) and blowing snow. Winds will gradually ease somewhat on Saturday night, but expect an even colder night, with wind chills falling below zero.
Hazardous Weather: Snow
Locations affected: Our entire forecast area is forecast to receive accumulating snowfall. 2 to 5 inches are expected across the advisory area. The highest total amounts are forecast to be across eastern Pennsylvania and central and southern New Jersey where local amounts of up to 6 inches are possible.
Timing: Light snow will begin to spread into the region from west to east between 4 and 7 AM Friday. Snow will pick up in intensity for the late morning & early afternoon hours, then gradually taper off from west to east Friday evening. *Snow may initially start off as rain or struggle to accumulate along the New Jersey shore Friday morning, then changeover toward midday and beyond.
Impacts: Snowfall accumulations may lead to slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions.
Confidence on occurrence: High confidence (70-90%) in accumulating snowfall areawide. See probabilities of various snow amounts across the area for this event here: https://www.weather.gov/phi/winter#potentialGraphics
