Strong northwest winds occurred from the late morning into the middle of the evening on the 26th in New Jersey following a cold frontal passage. Peak wind gusts averaged 45 to 50 mph, downed isolated weak trees, tree limbs and wires and caused isolated power outages. In addition, the recent dry weather coupled with the strong winds increased the threat for rapidly expanding wildfires. Firefighters had a difficult time battling both the blaze and wind at a Readington Township (Hunterdon County) home. The dryer fire destroyed the home. Peak wind gusts included 56 mph in High Point (Sussex County), 52 mph in Wantage (Sussex County), 48 mph at the Atlantic City International Airport, 47 mph in Perth Amboy (Middlesex County), 46 mph in Barnegat and Seaside Heights (Ocean County), 45 mph in Keansburg (Monmouth County), 44 mph in Mullica Township (Atlantic County), 43 mph in Lumberton (Burlington County) and Morristown (Morris County) and 40 mph in Trenton (Mercer County). The strong northwest winds were caused by the pressure difference between a high pressure system building into the Great Lakes and a low pressure system in the Canadian Maritimes. As the high pressure system moved closer during the evening of the 26th and the low pressure system moved offshore, winds diminished.

Strong Wind in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 42.00 MG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Strong Wind in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (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 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (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 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 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 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 10:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 49.00 MG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 10:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 10:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 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 26-MAR-12 11:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 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-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 41.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (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-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 13:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 26-MAR-12 12:00:00 to 26-MAR-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet