FREE 1/30/17 AM Zones 4/5 (Southeast NJ) Update on Light Snow
Regional mesoscale analysis this morning revealed a small, weak area of low pressure near the Delmarva shores drifting gradually northeastwards into the Atlantic. As expected, this low pressure area is developing as a result of a favorably positioned disturbance in the mid levels of the atmosphere, and is also aiding in the development of bands of snow over Southeastern NJ at this hour. This low pressure is expected to continue to track east/northeast over the next few hours.
Local observations and radar analysis confirms that steady or accumulating snow is struggling to make northward progress throughout the state, with banding settled over Cape May, Atlantic, and Southeast Ocean counties. This banding is occurring as a result of enhanced lift in the atmosphere, which works to produce steadier and heavier precipitation. This lift is being enhanced by temperature gradients and wind gradients in the atmosphere, with frontogenesis at the 850mb level (about 5000 feet above your head) aiding in its development.
