Weather
By Dan Skeldon
2020 has certainly been a year like no other, one that many of us would like to forget. But weather-wise, at least in many respects, South Jersey was rather fortunate. Those that dislike those six-sided ice crystals that normally fall during the winter months were probably most fortunate, as snow was a rare commodity through the first 49 weeks of 2020. Conversely, hurricanes were of course all too abundant throughout the Atlantic basin this summer and fall. But that was not so much the case along the East Coast, as the Gulf of Mexico was the focal point for both the most and the strongest storms this season. The summer was very warm, as was much of the year with the exception of the early to mid-spring. And ocean temperatures off of our coast were consistently warm throughout the summer for enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. But the year was not without its highlights. So here’s a look at five of the more significant weather headlines of the year, in no particular order.
1.) It’s the year of the snow lover’s discontent. Can you remember the last time it snowed? It sure seems like forever. The last measurable snow in South Jersey was way back on December 11, 2019, when 0.5″ of snow fell at the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). The winter of 2019-2020 was the second least snowy on record at ACY, with just that half of an inch of snow falling last season. And technically, we have not seen measurable snow yet in 2020, with just over a half month to go. We’ve never recorded an entire calendar year without snow , so if we don’t see measurable snow before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, 2020 can lay claim to that first. Currently, 1973 holds the record for the least snowy year on record, with just 0.5″ of snow that year.
2.) Hurricane Isaias made landfall in North Carolina on August 4th, and then weakened to a tropical storm as it zipped up the coast to our west later that day. While the flooding remnant rains largely stayed to our west, strong winds gusting over 70 miles-per-hour roared through South Jersey that day. Most notably, Isaias spawned two tornadoes, one in Cape May County and another in Ocean County, which produced 80 to 110 mile-per-hour winds respectively.
3.) A strong cold front on April 13, the Monday after Easter, swept through South Jersey and caused strong and damaging winds and an unusually early severe weather event across the area. Tornado watches were posted, and while no tornadoes were confirmed, 70 to 80 mile-per-hour gusts caused extensive damage throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties. A roof was ripped off a Somers Point marina, and there was roof damage to Congress Hall in Cape May as well as parts of the Wildwood Boardwalk.
4.) 2020 was a year of a fairly sizable and notable drought across much of the Northeast. But rainfall shortages were never really an issue in South Jersey, especially through the summer and fall. July through November all featured above average rainfall, to the tune of 2 to 6 inches above average each month. All in all, 2020 should go down as a Top 5 wettest year on record.
5.) Weather in one word this year: warm. In addition to being a Top 5 wet year, 2020 will likely be a Top 5 warm year on record as well. Just where it will rank in the Top 5 will be determined by just what our temperatures do over the coming few weeks before the new year. It’s worth noting that all other spots in not only the Top 5 but also the Top 8 warmest years on record have been since 2010. Yes, it’s certainly been a warm decade or so.
Late Decembers of the past brought us some notable storms, including back-to-back blizzards on either side of Christmas in 2009 and 2010. So there’s a chance that a last-minute event could be a candidate for the Top 5 weather events of the year. Time will tell, but no matter what happens, here’s to a better 2021!
Meteorologist Dan Skeldon has a degree in meteorology from Cornell University. He has forecasted the weather in South Jersey for the last 18 years, first on the former television station NBC40 and then on Longport Media radio. Dan has earned the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval for Broadcast Meteorologists, and now does television broadcasts on WFMZ-TV in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
