The Alternative Press

WEST ESSEX, NJ - At 4pm Wednesday, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather station located at the Essex County Airport in Fairfield issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the West Essex area which extends until 12pm on Friday afternoon. The advisory cautions travelers regarding the “prolonged period of accumulating snow and strong winds.”  The Snow and Rain that was supposed to “definitely” start at 2pm on Wednesday never seemed to materialize; instead we’ve had patches of scattered Rain and Snow, coming in sheets, and then completely stopping until it starts over again. The Winds and strong Wind Gusts, however, have not diminished.

For the remainder of Wednesday evening, Snow and Rain was recategorized from Definite to Likely. Winds remained strong at 20 mph, coupled with Gusts of 36 mph, Near Gale winds categorized as “difficult to walk against.”


Thursday Forecast Map   Credit: The Weather Channel

Thursday’s Snow forecast has now been changed to Snow and Rain which is still likely until 5am. Winds remain high at 22 mph, and the Wind Gusts are back in the Gale Force level, 41 mph, categorized as “difficult to drive against.” Rain and Snow lessens to scattered showers by 5am, Winds and Gusts continue at high levels, still "difficult to drive against." By 7am, total accumulations from the storm should be 0.7”

Thursday morning, scattered Rain and Snow continues, along with the same levels of high winds and “difficult to drive against” 40 mph Wind Gusts. However at 9am the temperature level drops and precipitation becomes all Snow. By 11am, the Snow picks up and becomes Likely until 1pm. Winds coupled with Gale Force 40 mph Wind Gusts continue at high levels; total accumulation:  0.9" This pattern continues until 2pm.

At 2pm, Snow is supposed to lessen again to scattered, and Wind Gusts lessen a bit to 38 mph, Near Gale, “difficult to drive against.” However, at 5pm, Snow is expected to pick up again to Likely. At this time, wind gusts are expected to diminish completely and winds lessen to 10 mph.

Likely Snow continues at 7pm, without the winds, and total accumulation should be 1.3”  Likely snow is expected through midnight Thursday evening and the winds are not expected to pick up.


Friday Forecast Map  Credit: The Weather Channel

Friday evening the storm is still hovering over our area with a continued likely chance of Snow; 1am total accumulation is now  2.2"  The snow is likely to continue throughout the early Friday morning hours, along with Foggy conditions. By 7am, the total accumulations are expected to be 3.5”

The morning commute begins with likely Snow, and Windy Gusts of 30 mph are expected to return. By 9am, the likely Snow should begin to mix with Rain. Near 11am, the Rain and Snow are expected to finally lessen to widely scattered chance of precipitation. By 1pm, total accumulation should be 4.6”

Friday afternoon by 2pm, the widely scattered Rain and Snow only become an isolated, slight chance of precipitation. The wind gusts start to diminish at this time lessening to a Windy Strong breeze of 22 mph; near 7pm, they should be completely gone. Total and final Saturn accumulation should be 4.7”

For a detailed forecast, see below:

Thursday, 7th

12am to 1am
78% likely chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 21 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: STRONG WINDS:  39 mph Gale, Difficult to drive
Accumulation: 0.16"
Total Accumulation: 0.16"

1am to 5am
78% decreasing to 71% likely chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 20-22 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: STRONG WINDS:  39-41 mph Gale, Difficult to drive

5am to 7am
57% scattered chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 18-20 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: VERY WINDY:  38 Gale, Difficult to drive
Accumulation: 0.56"
Total Accumulation: 0.72"

7am to 11am
57% scattered chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 18–21 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: STRONG WINDS:  39-40  Gale, Difficult to drive

11am to 1pm
60% Likely chance of  Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 20–21 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: STRONG WINDS:  39-40  Gale, Difficult to drive
Accumulation:  0.22"
Total Accumulation: 0.94"

1pm to 2pm
60% Likely chance of  Snow  NOW SNOW AND LIKELY
Winds: BREEZY: 18–20 mph - Fresh breeze
Gusts: STRONG WINDS:  39-40  Gale, Difficult to drive  HIGHER

2pm to 3pm
54% scattered chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 18 mph - Fresh breeze
VERY WINDY: 37–38 mph -  Near gale, Difficult to walk

3pm to 4pm
54% scattered chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 14–17 mph - Moderate breeze
VERY WINDY: 36–37 mph -  Near gale, Difficult to walk

4pm to 5pm
54% scattered chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 14–17 mph - Moderate breeze
VERY WINDY: 33 mph -  Moderate gale, Difficult to walk

5pm to 6pm
70% Likely chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 13 mph - Moderate breeze

6pm to 7pm
70% Likely chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 10 mph - Gentle breeze
Accumulation: 0.33”
Total Accumulation: 1.27"

7pm to 12am
70% Likely chance of Snow  
Winds: BREEZY: 10 mph - Gentle breeze


*****

Friday, 8th

12am to 1am
75% Likely chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 11 mph - Gentle breeze
Accumulation: 0.89"
Total Accumulation: 2.16"

1am to 7am
75% Likely chance of Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 13 mph - Moderate breeze
FOGGY
Accumulation: 1.32"
Total Accumulation: 3.48”

7am to 11am
75% Likley chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 14-16 mph - Moderate breeze
Gusts: WINDY: 25-26 mph - Strong breeze

11am to 1pm
35% widely scattered chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 16-17 mph - Moderate breeze
Gusts: WINDY: 26-30 mph - Strong breeze
Accumulation: 1.14"
Total Accumulation: 4.62"

1pm to 2pm
35% widely scattered chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: BREEZY: 16 mph - Moderate breeze
Winds and Gusts: WINDY: 30 mph - Strong breeze

2pm to 5pm
24% isolated slight chance of Rain and Snow
Winds: Winds: BREEZY: 13-16 mph - Moderate breeze
Gusts: WINDY: 23-26 mph - Strong breeze

5pm to 7pm
All is clear
Winds: BREEZY: 9-11 mph - Gentle breeze
Gusts: WINDY: 23-22 mph - Strong breeze  
Accumulation: 0.03"R
Total Accumulation: 4.65"

7pm to 12am
All is clear
Winds: Winds: BREEZY: 7-9 mph - Gentle breeze