from Will in Neptune (Feb. 6, 2010)

Have you ever wondered where we get those snow totals that we show on-air?  No, we don’t run around the state with a ruler or with this last storm a yard stick!  We periodically, during the event get reports from the NWS with snowfall amounts.  It all depends on how many snow spotters are out there taking measurements.  Sometimes it takes a few hours for all the data to come in and sometimes it’s well after the storm has passed.  That’s why sometimes on-air I’ll say that “these totals are old” or “they were taken from earlier today…”  I try my best to present the latest and freshest information as soon as possible.  Sometimes though, it’s just out of my control. 

In order for your measurement to count you must first register with the NWS office that covers your county.  You will go through some simple storm training and then you’ll be on your way.  For more details check out this link: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/Skywarn/skywarn.html

Sure, measuring snow sounds simple but sticking a ruler in a mound of snow isn’t really the right way to do it.  I know, it’s how most of us do it but if you want to get a really precise measurement you need to follow the rules set by the NWS.  Right click on this link so it opens up in a new window, because it’s quite long: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/Skywarn/measuringsnow2.html

So now you know all that goes into taking correct snow measurements.  It’s really a chore to do it right with the snowboard and honestly I’ve only done it once since graduating college.  Part of that is because I’m usually at work when the storm hits.  You also need to check back with the NWS to see if there are any updates or changes to procedures.

Saturday’s snow jackpot was south Jersey once again…  If only our state’s ski resorts were in the southern part of the state I think we’d be set.  Folks that live south of Middlesex County saw the worst of it with snow totals ranging from a foot all the way up to well over 2 feet.  Looking at all of the snow totals that came in from the National Weather Service it appears as if the bullseye was right over Camden and Gloucester Counties.  Cape May, Atlantic and Burlington Counties weren’t too far behind though.  The National Weather Service reported yesterday that this is the second snowiest winter for them, right behind the winter of 1995-1996.  We all know what happend that year – right?  Remember early January of 1996, now that was a snowstorm! 

Now northern sections of the state didn’t see much from this past event, but don’t worry winter is NOT over by any means.  You’ll have your chance to catch up. 

Thanks again to all our viewers who took the time to send in v-clips of the storm.  Keep them coming! 

Significant Snow Totals from the News 12 NJ viewing area:

MIDDLESEX COUNTY…
   SOUTH OLD BRIDGE       8.7  1200 PM   2/6
   OLD BRIDGE             8.4   310 PM   2/6
   CHEESEQUAKE            8.2   200 PM   2/6
   EAST BRUNSWICK         8.2   310 PM   2/6
   SOUTH BRUNSWICK        8.0   310 PM   2/6
   MADISON PARK           7.8   310 PM   2/6
   NORTH BRUNSWICK        7.0  1215 PM   2/6
   SAYREVILLE             6.5  1200 PM   2/6
   METUCHEN               5.2   215 PM   2/6
   HIGHLAND PARK          5.0  1200 PM   2/6
   SOUTH PLAINFIELD       4.0  1200 PM   2/6
   WOODBRIDGE             3.0   600 PM   2/6

MONMOUTH COUNTY…
   FREEHOLD              15.9  1230 PM   2/6
   COLTS NECK            15.0   315 PM   2/6
   HOWELL                15.0   400 PM   2/6
   CREAM RIDGE           13.2   430 PM   2/6
   ENGLISHTOWN           12.0   310 PM   2/6
   MANALAPAN             12.0   310 PM   2/6
   OCEAN TWP             11.5   315 PM   2/6
   HOLMDEL               10.0   600 PM   2/6
   MORGANVILLE            9.5   310 PM   2/6
   ABERDEEN               9.0  1200 PM   2/6

OCEAN COUNTY…
   BEACHWOOD             19.0   455 PM   2/6
   BRICK                 19.0   430 PM   2/6
   WHITING               17.5   415 PM   2/6
   BAYVILLE              16.6   430 PM   2/6
   MANCHESTER            16.5   430 PM   2/6
   MANAHAWKIN            16.0   430 PM   2/6
   FORKED RIVER          15.0   430 PM   2/6
   POINT PLEASANT BEACH  15.0   830 PM   2/6
   POINT PLEASANT        14.5   430 PM   2/6
   SHIP BOTTOM           14.0  1235 PM   2/6
   JACKSON               12.5   800 PM   2/6

WARREN COUNTY…
   STEWARTSVILLE          6.0   455 PM   2/6
   HOPE                   1.0   600 PM   2/6
SOMERSET COUNTY…
   HILLSBOROUGH           6.8   725 PM   2/6
   NORTH PLAINFIELD       4.0   820 PM   2/6

HUNTERDON COUNTY…
   FLEMINGTON             8.3   145 PM   2/6
   KINGWOOD               7.0   655 PM   2/6

MERCER COUNTY…
   HAMILTON              12.0  1200 PM   2/6
   ROBBINSVILLE          11.5   140 PM   2/6
   HOPEWELL              10.5   435 PM   2/6
   EWING                 10.4   100 PM   2/6

UNION COUNTY…
RAHWAY            4.0  100 PM   2/6
 ROSELLE          3.8   10350 PM   2/6
 PLAINFIELD     2.2   929  AM   2/6
 CRANFORD        2.0   1045 PM   2/6

from Fran in Little Egg Harbor

from Alison in Brick

All week long I was anxiously watching the development of the storm that ended up sliding just to our south this past weekend.  The computer forecast models at first looked pretty ominous for all of NJ, but then trended further to the south a few days out.  I thought, ok this is good but of course in the back of my mind I kept thinking “what if”.  This past winter has been a difficult one to forecast, but really is it ever easy?  As of late our models haven’t been so reliable.  They didn’t bring any precipitation into NJ with this latest storm, but guess what?  Cape May and Atlantic Counties both had 5-10 inches of snow.  The snow even crept as far northward at Monmouth and Mercer Counties, but luckily Trenton only reported flurries and parts of Monmouth had a dusting up to an inch.  Ocean County had little in northern towns to a few inches at it’s southern most point.  The situation turned into a “now-cast” and the storm had to be watched closely Saturday night.  I had a feeling we couldn’t write this storm off.  I mentioned earlier in the week that it was possible for some snow in our southern most counties.  I just didn’t want to take it out of the forecast to fast.  It was a close call and we ended up getting brushed by the storm’s outer fringes.  Luckily, this storm wasn’t a big one for us here in our viewing area, but it did bring lots of snow to the Mid-Atlantic.  Now we’re watching the potential for another coastal storm for next weekend.  Sorry to all my family and friends who are teachers…. it looks like it will hit on the weekend….AGAIN!

Here is a list of snow totals for our viewing area:

Ocean County

• North Beach Haven: 5.1″
• Barnegat: 4/5″
• Manahawkin: 3.2″
• Harvey Cedars: 3.0″
• Mystic Islands: 3.0″
• Brick Twp: 2.0″
• Bayville: 1.5″
• Toms River: 1.5″
• Berkeley Twp: 1.4″
• Banberg Lakes: 1.3″
• Point Pleasant Beach: 1.0″
• Whiting: 1.0″

Monmouth County

• Howell Twp: 1.0″
• Wayside: 1.0″
• Cream Ridge: 0.9″
• Freehold: 0.5″
• Manasquan: 0.5″
• Red Bank: 0.3″
• Eatontown: 0.2″

Mercer

• Ewing: 0.2″
• Hightstown: 0.1″

Winter is definitely not done with us yet here in NJ.  We lucked out and had an abnormally long “January Thaw” and I think we got a little spoiled.  Well we did have an abnormally long “Arctic Blast” toward the end of December which lasted right through the first half of January, so maybe we were due for a long thaw.  Usually our Arctic outbreaks are quick and we rebound in a few days.  As we head into the last weekend of January we are in for a big time freeze.  Mother Nature means business this time around.  Temperatures will be well below freezing and dewpoints will be mind numbing low.  I really am not looking forward to the return of winter-hair and chapped dry skin but this time around it looks like temperatures will rebound a bit by next week. 

It’s time to bring back out all the warm winter gear.  Make sure your heating systems are running well and change or clean out your air filters.  Check on the elderly and also keep an eye on the pets if you let them outdoors.  It’s been a few weeks – I know I’ve almost forgotten what temperatures in the 20s and wind chills in the single digits feel like!   Stay warm, we’ll talk more later.

Michele

I used to think that winters here in NJ weren’t so bad, but I guess I’m not old enough to really know how bad things can get.  When I started my career as  meteorologist ten years ago I worked in Massachusetts and lived in New Hampshire.  I had the worst time during those winters because every snowstorm dumped close to a foot or more of snow and it was COLD.  It got cold in late September and I wore my heavy winter coat all the way until late March.  A wool hat and some thick gloves were staples everytime I walked out the door.  The locals were used to it and as I struggled to dig out my car after a storm, the kids scurried along to catch their school bus!  Yes, they had school every time.  I know, it’s all regional but one thing I learned from those New England winters was that my old NJ practices weren’t cutting it.  I also learned to carry cat litter and a shovel in my car, but that’s another blog.  I thought when I came back home to NJ, that I wouldn’t have to resort to some of those practices I had to use a few years ago, but I was so wrong… 

This winter is shaping up to be a very cold one, compared to our recent past winters.  I’ve read online that some meteorologists are comparing this winter to the one in 1977/78.  If you can recall any stories from that winter, let me know.  My mom often spoke of that winter in particular because of one infamous blizzard that fell right around a birthday party she threw for me.  Meteorologists are also saying that our winters will be more like the ones decades ago – when we had tons of snow and it was extremely cold.  You know, we’ve all heard older family members say how many miles and how many feet of snow they had to walk through to get to school…. etc.  Anyway, what I’m trying to say here is that I think we’re in it now for the long haul.  It’s time to forget about fashion and just bundle up!

The National Weather Service suggests the following tips for greatest warmth:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.  The trapped air between the layers is what keeps you warm.  Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded
• Wear a hat.  40% of your body heat can be lost from your head
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves.
• Try to stay out of the wind.

When I get home, I’ll be online searching for a new winter hat and some good gloves.  I’m also searching for that perfect winter coat.  If anyone has any suggestions, post them right here.