The Lion Roars Early

March, which is supposed to come in like a lion, is coming into New Jersey six days in advance.  Take a look at this forecast map for 7:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, February 24: 

Yes., that's a pretty big storm with a lot of rain.  But it's even worse than it looks.  Forecasts call for not just rain, but heavy rain.  As in frequent downpours.  Estimates for rain totals are as low as 1.5 inches and as high as three - three - inches, which is the equivalent of three feet of snow.  Then there's the wind.  Sustained winds in my area should average 20 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 35 miles per hour inland an 55 miles per hour for the coast.  

Oh, and did I happen to mention a possible squall line?  That would bring even heavier wind and rain than what's already being predicted and could cause a lot of damage (*cough cough*, electrical blackouts, *cough cough*).  Although the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center  predicts that the worst weather from this storm won't affect New Jersey or New York, some forecasters think that the National Weather Service is grossly underestimating what could happen.

Which could include severe thunderstorms with gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour.

The good news? This is all over by Thursday.  The bad news?  We could have a tree in our house by then. 

Stay tuned, I may be back . . ..