New Jersey was singing in the rain today. For the first time in over three months, a significant amount of rain fell. Just about every neighborhood north of Route 72 picked up at least a half inch of rain. Not nearly as much fell in the southern zones of Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. Central and northern zones saw between 1 and almost 2 inches.

Is the drought officially over? Not by a long shot. We still need to make up at least another 9 to 11 inches over the next 90 days before we can close this dry chapter in New Jersey's climate book. And that doesn’t look like it will happen, despite the weather pattern becoming much more active and colder. Snow?

Speaking of snow, leftover rain showers will begin to transition to snow showers. At times, the snow will fall at a good clip. This will continue to cool the column of air and allow more towns to possibly get into this snowy situation. For the first time in 276 days (Feb. 19, 2024), the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory.

An advisory is issued when wintery conditions could create slippery conditions. Accumulations will be modest and primarily contained to colder surfaces - this means your front steps and sidewalks. Local streets and of course, major roads should remain snow-free. Colder surfaces like lawns, decks, patio furniture and grassy surfaces could pick up a wet/slushy snowfall. The first of the season.

Most of the snowfall will be confined in bands. If those bands pivot over elevated areas. Elevation of 800 feet or more it’s likely 4-6 inches would accumulate. Most areas in the advisory will see a slushy pick-up of 2 inches. The rest of the state north of Interstate 78 will likely just be watching the snow splat on their windshields when traveling around. Festive flakes, I like to call them.

The pattern stays chilly through the weekend and into next week. Computer guidance is picking up a weather signature that could signal a more significant storm, with a bigger wintry impact on the region right around the holiday. It’s still several days out - a meteorological lifetime.

Let’s be patient. Let’s not get over-excited with the overzealous “social media meteorologists” posting every single snow map there is without any context. Things can and will change. For now, we wait and we watch what we have before us.

Enjoy the first snow for those of you seeing flakes.