The second coastal storm to hit New Jersey in six days will be a strong one, but not strong enough to be classified as a blizzard Watch video
The second big winter storm to blast New Jersey in six days can be called a lot of things, but just don't call it a blizzard. Why? Because, technically, it isn't.
Although this storm will be packing a big punch -- particularly in the northern half of the state -- forecasters say it won't have the necessary ingredients to be classified as a blizzard.
In order to be a blizzard, the storm would need all of these conditions during a period of three hours or longer:
- Sustained winds or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or stronger.
- Falling and/or blowing snow.
- Visibility frequently reduced to a quarter-mile or less.
Ray Kruzdlo, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's regional office in Mount Holly, noted the amount of snow is not a factor in a blizzard. There obviously has to be some snow, enough to blow around and cut visibility.
But blizzards don't necessarily have to be massive snowstorms.
[10:45am Update] Based on the latest trends and observations we have bumped up our snowfall forecast. Heavy snow will fall this afternoon with rates of 1-2" per hour. pic.twitter.com/LlVb0X6uxU
-- NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) March 7, 2018
So, what do we call Wednesday's storm?
Kruzdlo said it is a nor'easter, because it developed along the East coast, will be moving toward the Northeast and packing winds that are blowing from the northeast. But you could also call this storm a coastal storm, or a snowstorm, or a winter storm.
No matter what you call it, this March nor'easter will be intensifying Wednesday afternoon and could dump as much as 18 to 24 inches of snow over parts of North Jersey before it winds down before midnight.
Thundersnow?
Don't be surprised if you see some flashes of lightning in the sky and hear some blasts of thunder this afternoon. Forecasters said there is a possibility of isolated "thundersnow" in parts of New Jersey on Wednesday as the storm intensifies.
Thundersnow is essentially a mini-thunderstorm that occurs during a snowstorm.
"It will sound like regular thunder" and you could see bolts of lightning if you happen to be looking up at the right time, said Matthew Potter, a meteorologist at WeatherWorks, a private forecasting company based in Warren County.
Just like regular thunderstorms, "it's basically produced when you have a lot of energy and strong upward vertical motion (or air), so that creates instability in the atmosphere," Potter explained.
He said thundersnow is most common during quick heavy bursts of snow.
So, be on the lookout for this wild winter phenomenon.
UPDATE (1:40 p.m. Wednesday): During the past two hours, the National Weather Service has received numerous reports of thundersnow along the Interstate 95 corridor and east to western sections of Atlantic County. In addition, staffers at NJ Advance Media have reported thundersnow in Jersey City, Maplewood, Manalapan and Voorhees.
Not the snazziest graphic, but we have some lightning within the past half hour south of Cape May NJ. Thunder reported in Cape May. Thundersnow a real possibility this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/kpwZoEnS2J
-- Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) March 7, 2018
.@JimCantore's in my neighboring town. Let's hope we get some #thundersnow! pic.twitter.com/hgBEINGQcl
-- Jackson Dill (@Jackson_Dill) March 7, 2018
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.