Winter Storm — Western Essex, New Jersey

2021-02-01 to 2021-02-03 · Western Essex, New Jersey

Event narrative

A trained spotter in Bloomfield reported 20.5 inches of snow. A trained spotter in North Caldwell reported 17.3 inches of snow. The public reported 18 to 21 inches of snow. The nearby Newark Liberty International Airport ASOS measured a 41 mph wind gust at 2:51 pm on February 1, 2021.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed over the Ohio Valley and Middle Atlantic on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The low then consolidated along the Middle Atlantic coast early on Monday, February 1, 2021 and intensified as it slowly tracked to the north-northeast. The low meandered slowly north as it moved along the northeast and New England coast later on Monday February 1, 2021 through Wednesday, February 3, 2021. The low brought a major winter storm to northeast New Jersey, with the most significant impacts occurring on Monday, February 1, 2021. 3 to 6 inches of snow had already accumulated by the start of the morning commute. Near blizzard conditions then occurred through the rest of the morning into the early afternoon with snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Strong winds combined with these heavy snow rates to produce visibilities one quarter mile or less at times. The heavier bands of snow lifted north across the rest of northeast New Jersey in the afternoon and evening. Lighter snow bands then lingered intermittently through the early morning hours on February 3, 2021. Snowfall totals ranged 15 to 20 inches of snow with some locations receiving around two feet. Winds gusted 40 to 55 mph at times on Monday, February 1, 2021, which caused power outages. Travel was also severely impacted as many flights were cancelled and travel by train was suspended. COVID testing and vaccination sites were closed. Impacts were limited on February 2, 2021 and February 3, 2021 as the snow was largely light.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940309. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.