2:10 PM | Dry air has impeded the initial onset of precipitation, but the storm should get cranking by later this afternoon although its worst effects will be to our east

Discussion

The intensifying Nor’easter is a compact storm system and we have been on the western edge of its precipitation field over the past several hours. The precipitation field continues to expand gradually to the north and west, but it has been fighting some dry air in place over the Delaware Valley. This dry air will gradually give way this afternoon and the precipitation will intensify. As the precipitation falls into the dry air mass, the process of evaporational cooling will take place and this will cause temperatures to drop through the 30’s causing an eventual changeover to snow and ice later today. The heaviest precipitation should occur from late this afternoon through the evening hours with snow accumulations much more likely after sunset. Snow has already started to accumulate from interior South Jersey northward to the New York City region as the storm strengthens and slows down just off the Mid-Atlantic coast. The general pattern of the snow accumulations being highest to the east of the Delaware Valley will continue through the duration of this offshore storm.