Some much-needed rainfall is on the way for late Wednesday night through Thursday mid-afternoon. This will be New Jersey's first real shot at rain since just over 1 inch fell on the area three months ago on Aug. 18.
This will not be a drought-buster. In order to end the drought, get the water supply in the reservoirs and groundwater back to normal, we would need to experience a rain event that produced 0.15 inches of rain every day for 90 days straight. I know how dire the drought situation is, but 90 days straight of rain would certainly have an adverse effect on our psyche.
Clouds will continue to collect tonight. Winds will turn direction and come off of the ocean. This will start the saturation of the atmosphere. Temperatures will be above normal for nighttime lows at 39-46 degrees.
The overcast skies will continue to thicken and lower for Wednesday. Temperatures will be in the 50s to low-60s. The air will have a damp coolness to it. The much-needed and hoped-for rain will start after 11 p.m. At times, it’s possible the rain will come down in torrents through the overnight.
Be prepared for an extremely slow start to your Thursday morning. Autumn debris, such as leaves and branches will clog sewers and catch basins, so be careful of localized street flooding. By Thursday afternoon, around lunchtime, expect the weather to let up a touch. While the skies dry up for a few hours, we aren’t done with this storm just yet.
There will be an upper-level storm that will help drain in cold air, not only at the surface but also aloft. This rapid cooling of the atmosphere could help change the rain over to snow. Yes, you read that right. Snow.
It’s possible some neighborhoods above 900 feet in elevation could see a wet sugar coating through the day on Friday.
You know, I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity for our first snow of the season, but I must stress that it’s just an opportunity. There are a few meteorological features that have to come in line for this to pan out. But right now, there is a chance for periodic snow showers on Friday.
Who’s excited? You know this snow lover is.