Strong to high winds buffeted New Jersey from the late morning through the evening on the 31st. Hardest hit by the wind were the extreme southern part of the state as well as Sussex County. The highest wind gusts occurred during the afternoon of the 31st, except in Sussex where the highest wind gusts occurred during the evening. Numerous tree limbs, trees and power lines were knocked down. The majority of the 13,000 customers losing power were in the southern part of the state.
The most serious reported injury occurred in Elsinboro Township in Salem County. A 59-year-old woman broke her neck after a downed tree fell onto her vehicle. Elsewhere in the county, in Pennsville a downed tree damaged a home. About 1,100 homes and businesses lost power mainly in Elsinboro, Mannington and Carneys Point. In Atlantic County, a downed tree badly damaged a trailer in the Atlantic Garden Complex in Egg Harbor Township. About 2,000 homes and businesses lost power in the county. In Cumberland County, a large pine tree fell onto a moving vehicle in Vineland. The occupants were not hurt. About 1,000 homes and businesses in the county lost power. In Gloucester County, a downed tree damaged the sunroom of a home in Glassboro. About 3,300 homes and businesses lost power.
Peak wind gusts included 75 mph in Pennsville (Salem County), 68 mph in Brigantine (Atlantic County), 65 mph at High Point (Sussex County), 63 mph in Wantage (Sussex County) and Cape May (Cape May County), 54 mph at Harvey Cedars (Ocean County), Atlantic City International Airport and Millville (Cumberland County), 51 mph in Point Pleasant (Ocean County) and 46 mph in Trenton (Mercer County).
The high winds were caused by the large pressure difference between a rapidly intensifying Alberta Clipper type low pressure system moving through New England and a strong high pressure system approaching from the upper Mississippi Valley.

High Wind in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong Wind in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong Wind in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 47.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 12:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

High Wind in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Strong Wind in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 31-DEC-08 11:00:00 to 31-DEC-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet