Snowfall through 7 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2015 (Source: National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters)
After back-to-back snowstorms, you may be thinking that this winter is becoming as snowy last winter.
While it’s been snowy lately, it has not been nearly as snowy as the very white winter of 2013-14, according to a climate expert.
Before today’s snowstorm, snowfall averaged 15.8 inches statewide, or several inches below the norm through mid-February, according to a report by David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist at Rutgers University.
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Snowfall averaged 54.3 inches last winter, or 28.2 inches above normal, according to Robinson. It was the seventh snowiest winter since 1895.
This winter, the northern part of the state has averaged 29.6 inches, according to Robinson. That’s about a 6 inches above average.
The central region, which includes Monmouth County, has averaged 18.3 inches, or 1 to 2 inches above average. The south, which includes Ocean County, has averaged 7.2 inches – about 6 inches below the norm, according to Robinson.
Aside from the Thanksgiving eve snowstorm in central and northern areas, most of the snow has fallen in the past three weeks, according to Robinson.
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Snowfall totals for today’s storm include 7 inches in Neptune City, 6.5 inches in Brick, 6.2 inches in Neptune and 6 inches in Jackson, Freehold and Marlboro, according to unofficial reports to the National Weather Service.
And it appears that more snow is in the offing. Snow squalls late Wednesday afternoon and early evening may spawn gusty winds and a quick inch of snow, according to a hazardous weather outlook. Travel may be hazardous.
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Meanwhile, this is the second consecutive colder than average winter, according to Robinson.
And the weather service expects dangerously cold weather this week. Dangerous wind chill readings are expected from Wednesday night through early Saturday, according to the hazardous weather outlook. Wind chill advisories may be needed.
Lows Friday morning will range from 0 to 5 in southeastern New Jersey, according to a forecast discussion. Temperatures will be 20 to 30 degrees below normal on Friday.
