Strong to high winds that started during the afternoon of the winter storm on the 26th persisted into the evening of the 27th. Peak wind gusts were around 50 mph, except along some shore points and in the higher terrain of Sussex County where gusts reached into the 60s. The strong to high winds knocked down some weak tree limbs and power lines. The largest effect though was the considerable blowing and drifting of the snow the wind caused. This hampered plowing and clean-up operations after the snow ended throughout the day on the 27th. Many roadways and ramps remained closed, especially in the eastern part of the state. About 7,000 homes and businesses lost power. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry cancelled all Delaware Bay crossings before 3 p.m. EST on the 27th.
The winds were caused first by the rapid intensification of the winter storm low pressure system and then the pressure gradient (difference) between the low pressure system and a strong high pressure building east from the central part of the United States. Winds eased as the low moved farther away from the Middle Atlantic States as the day progressed on the 27th as well as it stopped intensifying after the morning of the 27th.  The low pressure system's surface pressure bottomed at 961 millibars at 10 a.m. EST on the 27th as it was passing just east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Strong Wind in NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 09:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 09:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 44.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 09:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 17:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 49.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Coast Guard

Strong Wind in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 41.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 47.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 17:00:00 (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 26-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 28-DEC-10 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 49.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Strong Wind in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 27-DEC-10 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Strong Wind in SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 15:30:00 to 27-DEC-10 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 26-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 27-DEC-10 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet