Strong low pressure tracked through the Great Lakes region early on December 24. Later on the 24th, a secondary area of low pressure began to develop over the Southeast along the trailing cold front from the primary low. This low steadily intensified as it moved north along the Appalachians, and it passed over the interior mid-Atlantic on the night of the 24th into the early morning of the 25th. Meanwhile, the cold front continued to approach as the secondary low tracked along it. Strong high pressure was also located well offshore over the Atlantic. In the strong gradient between the low pressure to the west and the high pressure to the east, a near record strong southerly low level jet began to develop. This led to an unusually intense cold season southerly high wind event over portions of the mid-Atlantic, as despite some degree of stabilization in the lowest levels of the atmosphere, strong gusts associated with the low level jet were still observed at the surface. In addition to the high winds, the long fetch of southerly flow drew an atmospheric river of unseasonably high moisture values into the mid-Atlantic, leading to heavy rain across the region. Many areas saw 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain. Combined with a lingering snowpack especially in areas to the north from a snowstorm a week earlier, a considerable amount of river flooding also occurred.

High Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts of 58 mph were measured both at Fortescue and near Seabrook Farms. Tree and utility damage was also reported.

High Wind in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind gust of 61 mph was measured at Atlantic City International Airport. Equivalent or stronger winds likely occurred along the Atlantic County coast.

High Wind in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Lakehurst Naval Air Station AWOS measured a 63 mph wind gust.

High Wind in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind gust of 61mph was measured at Atlantic City International Airport.

High Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 01:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site east of Strathmere measured a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 01:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet observations in coastal Cape May County, where most observing sites are found, suggest wind gusts of around 60 mph likely occurred throughout the county.

High Wind in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-20 00:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A number of high wind gusts were observed, including a 66mph gust at Sandy Hook.

High Wind in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-20 00:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Coastal mesonet observations and several reports of tree and power line damage suggest wind gusts of 60 to 65mph likely occurred throughout the county.

High Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site near Mystic Island measured a 68 mph wind gust, with several other gusts over 60 mph observed nearby.

High Wind in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Pitman reported a measured wind gust of 58 mph. Several reports of tree and utility damage were also received.

High Wind in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A wind gust of 60 mph was reported in Trenton. The Trenton Mercer Airport ASOS measured a peak gust of 53 mph.

High Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 60 mph was measured in Perth Amboy.

High Wind in NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The McGuire Air Force AWOS measured a 58 mph wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Observations from the more densely observed northwestern part of the county, and coastal observations from surrounding counties, suggest wind gusts of around 60 mph likely occurred.

High Wind in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 24-DEC-20 23:30:00 to 25-DEC-20 02:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site near Cedarville measured a 69 mph wind gust.