For many New Jersey residents, this was a blizzard from Hades.
The blizzard led to treacherous driving conditions on Sycamore Avenue in Tinton Falls on Dec. 26, 2010 (file photo by Mary Frank)
The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm summary with preliminary information on the powerful Dec. 26-27 nor'easter.
At 7 a.m. on Dec. 26, the center of the low pressure was just off Cape Hatteras, N.C., according to the summary.
By 7 a.m. on Dec. 27, the storm's minimum pressure was 976 millibars - equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, according to the summary and the National Hurricane Center.
Here are some more storm facts, according to the summary and the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist:
- Atlantic City set an all-time record for a single snowfall total: 20.1 inches as measured at the airport in Galloway.
- Many places along the New Jersey coast received at least 20 inches of snow. Belmar got 31 inches while Brick received 30 inches.
- Winds gusted to 61 mph in Long Beach Township and 56 mph on Sandy Hook.
- Strong winds and falling snow reduced visibilities and led to blizzard or near-blizzard conditions at times, especially along the New Jersey coastline.
- Parts of the Garden State Parkway were closed, with hundreds of cars left stranded. Snow drifts reached 8 to 9 feet in some spots.
After the blizzard in Colts Neck on Dec. 27, 2010 (file photo)
And guess what? We may get another storm this weekend, although there's a lot of uncertainty about what may happen, according to the weather service's Mount Holly office.
Happy New Year everyone!