Surprise ocean-effect snow to transition to rain as temperatures rise

     Photos of snowfall in Toms River Monday morning by JSHN contributor Peggy Friend.

    Photos of snowfall in Toms River Monday morning by JSHN contributor Peggy Friend.

    The surprise ocean-effect snow that dusted portions of the Jersey Shore Monday morning will transition to rain during the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

    Radar imagery shortly after noon indicates that wintry precipitation is still falling in portions of Ocean and Atlantic counties.

    Temperatures, which are around the freezing mark in coastal areas at noon, are expected to rise this afternoon.

    Low visibilities are possible during the more persistent snow showers, and roadways may be slippery. 

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    JSHN contributors reported light to moderate snow showers moving in off the ocean beginning around 8 a.m. 

    “Ocean-effect snow is produced in the same fashion as lake-effect, with cold water blowing over warm water, causing clouds to rise and precipitation to fall,” wrote AccuWeather’s Jesse Ferrell in an 2008 article about the the phenomenon.

    Heavy rain associated with the nor’easter that is moving up the coast will arrive tonight. 

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