Low pressure began to develop just off the coast of the Carolinas early on December 16, and steadily moved up the coast through the 16th and into the 17th. The low steadily, but not rapidly, intensified as it moved north. Plentiful moisture was associated with the low thanks to a Gulf of Mexico connection. In addition, very strong high pressure was centered just north of New England, which helped lock in cold air over the mid-Atlantic. The combination of the moisture-rich low and cold air in place led to a significant winter storm over much of the mid-Atlantic. Heavy snow and sleet fell over the area, with some areas also changing to rain as warmer ocean air surged inland and warmer air moved in aloft. While the central pressure of the storm system was not especially low (around 995 mb) the gradient between the low pressure and the very strong high to the north also led to strong winds in the region, especially near the coast. Combined with high astronomical tides, this also led to some coastal flooding.

Winter Storm in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 14:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell in the county, with widespread amounts of 8 to 12 inches observed, including 12.3 inches at a COOP site in Highland Lakes.

Winter Storm in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 13:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 10 inches was reported across the county, including a 10.5 inch amount from a trained spotter near Harmony.

Winter Storm in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 14:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow amounts of 6 to 12 inches fell across the county, including a report of 11.0 inches from a trained spotter in Green Pond.

Winter Storm in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 13:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches were observed, including a 10.5 inch report from a COOP observer near Holland Twp.

Winter Storm in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 13:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches were observed, including a report of 8.0 inches from a trained spotter in Somerville.

Winter Storm in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 13:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were observed in the county, including a report of 7.5 inches near Hopewell.

Winter Storm in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 13:30:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Snowfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches were reported in the county, including a report of 9.5 inches from an NWS employee in Plainsboro Twp.

Winter Storm in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 12:30:00 to 17-DEC-20 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were observed, including a report of 7.7 inches from a trained spotter near Freehold.

Winter Storm in NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 12:45:00 to 17-DEC-20 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snowfall amounts were generally in the 4 to 6 inch range, including a storm total of 6.2 inches at the NWS office near Westampton.

Winter Weather in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 12:30:00 to 17-DEC-20 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches were observed, with a maximum total of 5.2 inches reported in Haddon Heights.

Winter Weather in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 12:30:00 to 17-DEC-20 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches were observed, with a maximum total of 5.0 inches reported by an amateur radio operator in Monroe Twp.

Winter Weather in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 12:30:00 to 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were observed, including a report of 3.9 inches in Pennsville.

High Wind in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 20:00:00 to 16-DEC-20 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site east of Manasquan measured a 59mph wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 16-DEC-20 20:00:00 to 16-DEC-20 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A maximum gust of 62 mph was observed at a mesonet site near Mantoloking.