Editing Cape May County, New Jersey (section)

==Geography and climate==
Cape May County is {{convert|29|mi|km|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} at its widest.<ref name="proposed"/> According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of {{convert|620.31|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|251.52|sqmi}} was land (40.5%) and {{convert|368.79|sqmi}} was water (59.5%).<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_34.txt 2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref> The county is located about {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of [[New York City]], {{convert|80|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Philadelphia]], and {{convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="proposed"/> To the south and east of the county is the [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref name="fws">{{cite web|series=Significant Habitats and Habitat Complexes of the New York Bight Watershed|title=Cape May Peninsula #1|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|author=Joseph Dowhan|author2=Thomas Halavik|author3=Andrew Milliken|author4=Andrew MacLachlan|author5=Marcianna Caplis|author6=Kelly Lima|author7=Andrew Zimba|date=November 1997|url=https://nctc.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/cmp_form.htm|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131657/https://nctc.fws.gov/pubs5/web_link/text/cmp_form.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The location near water provides milder temperatures than surrounding areas, as well as a continuous breeze, which contribute to the area's tourism-driven economy.<ref name="proposed"/> [[Sea level]] along the coast is the lowest point. The highest elevation is found at three areas in [[Belleplain State Forest]] in the county's northern corner, which are approximately {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} above sea level.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cape May County High Point, New Jersey|date=November 1, 2004|access-date=April 9, 2018|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23080|publisher=Peakbagger.com|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025857/http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23080|url-status=live}}</ref>

Overall, the county is flat and coastal. Much of Cape May County lies on the [[Cape May Peninsula]], which is part of the [[Atlantic coastal plain]]. The peninsula is bounded to the west by the [[Delaware Bay]], and to the east is {{convert|1.5|to|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} of [[marsh]]es and water channels making up the [[Intracoastal Waterway]].<ref name="proposed"/> There are over {{convert|1574|mi|km|abbr=on}} of streams and rivers in the county, with the [[Great Egg Harbor River]] and its tributaries covering the northern portion of the county. There are also {{convert|24150|acre|ha|abbr=on}} of ponds, lakes, bays, and reservoirs.<ref name="strat"/> There are five barrier islands, measuring {{convert|32|mi|km|abbr=on}} in total, that are adjacent to the mainland. The islands have gently-sloped [[beach]]es and are largely built up.<ref name="proposed"/> There were only four barrier islands from 1922, when Turtle Gut Inlet was filled in to create Wildwood Crest, until 1945, when Cape May Canal was constructed through the southern portion of the county.<ref name="proposed"/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet|publisher=Wildwood Crest Historical Society|access-date=April 10, 2018|url=https://cresthistory.org/turtlegut.php|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174534/https://cresthistory.org/turtlegut.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gaz12"/>

===Climate===
{{climate chart
|[[Cape May Court House, New Jersey]]
|28|42|3.32
|29|44|2.93
|35|51|4.26
|44|61|3.53
|53|70|3.53
|63|79|3.37
|68|85|3.70
|67|83|3.62
|61|78|3.27
|50|67|3.70
|41|57|3.29
|32|47|3.47
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0075|title=Monthly Averages for Cape May Court House, New Jersey|publisher=[[The Weather Channel]]|access-date=April 23, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718001516/https://weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNJ0075|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Given its maritime influence and southernmost location within New Jersey, Cape May County has a more moderate climate than surrounding areas. During the summer, the county is often 3–5 degrees cooler, and 5–10 degrees warmer in the winter.<ref name="ac515"/> Much of the county is in [[Hardiness zone|USDA plant hardiness zone]] 7a/7b, with a small portion in the county's southeastern extreme in zone 8a. This equates to an average annual minimum temperature of {{convert|0|to|10|F|C}}.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|title=New Jersey|series=Plant Hardiness Zone Map|format=JPG|access-date=May 7, 2018|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/72DPI/nj.jpg|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508121442/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/Images/72DPI/nj.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> The average temperatures in the county seat of Cape May Court House range from a low of {{convert|22|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-22|°F}} was recorded in January 1942 and a record high of {{convert|103|°F}} was recorded in July 1993. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.91|in}} in June to {{convert|4.68|in}} in August,<ref name="weather"/> and annual precipitation is around {{convert|40|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The region typically gets {{convert|10|to|15|in|abbr=on}} of snowfall each year, much less than the mountains of New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|author=Amy Harris|title=The Average Climate of New Jersey|url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/average-climate-new-jersey-54523.html|access-date=April 25, 2018|newspaper=USA Today|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423003832/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/average-climate-new-jersey-54523.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Cape May County has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Koppen Climate Classification for the Conterminous United States|url=https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/koppen-climate-classification-for-the-conterminous-united-states63aa7/resource/b2bf2831-934f-4968-8ae5-72e989a8dfac|website=Data.gov|publisher=U.S. General Services Administration|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062434/https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/koppen-climate-classification-for-the-conterminous-united-states63aa7/resource/b2bf2831-934f-4968-8ae5-72e989a8dfac|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the [[Trewartha climate classification]] this climate is ''Do'' (oceanic.) The county has windy conditions throughout the year.<ref name="wind">{{cite report|page=85|url=http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/home/genpub/capemayplan.pdf|publisher=Cape May County Planning Department|title=Cape May County Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323103250/http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/home/genpub/capemayplan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Owing to its location along the coast, Cape May County has experienced the effects of [[tropical cyclone]]s for centuries. In [[Strathmere, New Jersey|Whale Beach]] on [[Ludlam Island]], [[core sample]]s suggested the passage of an intense hurricane sometime between 1278 and 1438.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Donnelly J. P. |author2=S. Roll |author3=M. Wengren |author4=J. Butler |author5=R. Lederer |author6=T. Webb III |date=July 2001|title=Sedimentary evidence of intense hurricane strikes from New Jersey |journal=[[Geology (journal)|Geology]]|volume=29|issue=7|issn=0091-7613|pages=615–618|doi=10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0615:SEOIHS>2.0.CO;2|bibcode = 2001Geo....29..615D  }} [http://www.geo.brown.edu/georesearch/esh/QE/Publications/Geology2001/JDonnelly/NewJersey/NewJersey.htm Abstract] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030529/http://www.geo.brown.edu/georesearch/esh/QE/Publications/Geology2001/JDonnelly/NewJersey/NewJersey.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> The [[1821 Norfolk and Long Island hurricane|next significant hurricane]] in the area was September 3, 1821. Around 1800 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (2:00&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Standard Time (North America)|local time]]), the [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] of the hurricane crossed over Cape May, estimated as a [[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes|Category 4]] on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]]. It is estimated that an identical hurricane to the 1821 storm in the 21st century would cause over $1 billion in damage in Cape May County, and $107 billion in damage nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|author=Protectingnewjersey.org |year=2006 |title=New Jersey: Exposed and Unprepared |access-date=July 4, 2007 |url=http://www.protectingnewjersey.org/Index.asp?PFID=21&PID=79 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901234426/http://www.protectingnewjersey.org/Index.asp?PFID=21&PID=79 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 1, 2006 }}</ref> The [[Gale of 1878]] flooded Cape May County and produced {{convert|84|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/galeof78.htm|title=Re-Analysis of the Gale of '78 - Storm 9 of the 1878 Hurricane Season|author1=David Roth|author2=Hugh Cobb|date=May 27, 2000|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318014114/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/galeof78.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> During the passage of [[Hurricane Gloria]] in 1985, Ocean City recorded a wind gust of {{convert|101|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Robert A. Case|volume=114|issue=7|pages=1395|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1985|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=July 1, 1986|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1986)114<1390:AHSO>2.0.CO;2|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1985.pdf|access-date=November 30, 2012|publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode=1986MWRv..114.1390C|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203143521/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1985.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hurricane Sandy]] struck the state on October 31, 2012, causing at least $150 million in damage in the county from its high winds and high tides. At the terminal for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry in North Cape May, Sandy produced the highest tide on record at {{convert|8.9|ft|m|abbr=on}}, surpassing the previous record of {{convert|8.8|ft|m|abbr=on}} set by Hurricane Gloria.<ref>{{cite report|title=High Wind Event for Eastern Cape May County|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=417015|date=|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405025149/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=417015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tide">{{cite report|date=May 2016|title=Cape May County|publisher=Mount Holly, New Jersey National Weather Service|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=https://www.weather.gov/media/phi/capema.pdf|archive-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612043849/https://www.weather.gov/media/phi/capema.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cape May County has experienced a variety of other weather effects. In March 1962, a [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962|stalled coastal storm]] produced several days of extremely high tides along the barrier islands, which damaged the boardwalks of Cape May, Avalon, and Sea Isle City.<ref>{{cite news|author=Al Campbell|date=March 3, 2016|title=March 1962 Storm Left Its Mark|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_07a6683c-e17b-11e5-84ba-73db8493b6a8.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405102542/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_07a6683c-e17b-11e5-84ba-73db8493b6a8.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=March 3, 2012|title=The '62 Storm: How Bad Was It?|newspaper=Cape May County Herald|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_3ae3a8b5-4110-5244-89f6-3dac1e33aa58.html|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405142641/https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/weather/article_3ae3a8b5-4110-5244-89f6-3dac1e33aa58.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1991 Perfect Storm]] produced high tides and [[Coastal erosion|beach erosion]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Margaret|last=Buchholz|author2=Larry Savadove|year=1993|title=Great Storms of the Jersey Shore|publisher=Down the Shore Publishing|isbn=0-945582-51-X|pages=148–150}}</ref> In January 2016, [[January 2016 United States blizzard|a blizzard]] nicknamed "Winter Storm Jonas" produced record high tides in the county, reaching {{convert|9.0|ft|m|abbr=on}} at the terminal for Cape May–Lewes Ferry, surpassing that of Hurricane Sandy. Nearly every municipality in the county reported damage, and in coastal towns, the beaches were severely eroded.<ref name="tide"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Miller|author2=Nicholas Huba|date=January 29, 2016|title=Jonas' toll: $67 million and counting in Cape May County|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|access-date=April 4, 2018|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/jonas-toll-million-and-counting-in-cape-may-county/article_e46d41bc-c6b1-11e5-be5b-1f9b948ca220.html|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024808/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/jonas-toll-million-and-counting-in-cape-may-county/article_e46d41bc-c6b1-11e5-be5b-1f9b948ca220.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1950, ten tornadoes have touched down in the county.<ref>{{cite report|title=Search Results for Cape May County|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=January 31, 2023|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=09&beginDate_dd=01&beginDate_yyyy=1950&endDate_mm=09&endDate_dd=30&endDate_yyyy=2023&county=CAPE%2BMAY%3A9&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=34%2CNEW+JERSEY|date=}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:Charadrius melodus -Cape May, New Jersey, USA -parent and chick-8 (1).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Piping plover]]s in [[Cape May, New Jersey|Cape May]]]]
The uplands, wetlands, and open waters of the county support one of the largest concentrations of migratory birds in North America. Nearly 900,000 migratory birds were observed in 1995 in Avalon. Along the Delaware Bay, 800,000 to 1.5 million birds pass through the area each spring.<ref name="fws"/> In 1947, the [[Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary]] was established, which was designated as a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Sanctuary's History|publisher=Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary|access-date=April 23, 2018|url=http://stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com/history/|archive-date=April 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424135607/http://stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the 151 species of birds that frequent the county, there are two species of whales, the [[loggerhead sea turtle]], the [[Pituophis melanoleucus|northern pine snake]], two species of treefrog, and the [[tiger salamander]] that inhabit the waters of Cape May County. Eight species of fish and four species of shellfish populate the coastal waters.<ref name="fws"/>

About 30% of the county is covered by forests that runs the length of the Cape May peninsula and connects with the Pinelands.<ref name="proposed"/><ref name="fws"/> The largely unfragmented forest provides breeding grounds for the [[barred owl]], [[red-shouldered hawk]], and [[wood thrush]], and also provides habitat for insects and migratory birds. In the county's [[swamp]]y interior, there are over 20 species of trees and 40 species of shrubs. About 42% of the county consists of wetlands. The marshes between the mainland and the barrier island are dominated by the [[Phragmites|common reed]], [[Typha angustifolia|narrow-leaved cattail]], [[Scirpus|bulrushes]], and [[Spartina alterniflora|smooth cordgrass]]. Along the beach, the [[Ammophila breviligulata|American beachgrass]] predominantly make up dune systems, along with other plant species.<ref name="fws"/>

The county utilizes five underground [[aquifer]]s, including two that derive from the [[Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer]]. Severe storms resulted in [[saltwater intrusion]] of the county's freshwater supply.<ref>{{cite report|page=162|title=Compendium of New Jersey Pine Barrens Literature|author=Kenneth Buchhoiz|author2=Ralph E. Good|date=July 1982|publisher=Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies|access-date=May 7, 2018|url=http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/infor/online/pdf%20reports/24%20Compendium%20of%20New%20Jersey%20Pine%20Barrens%20Literature%201982.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013032057/http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/infor/online/pdf%20reports/24%20Compendium%20of%20New%20Jersey%20Pine%20Barrens%20Literature%201982.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The suitable growing conditions led to West Cape May considering itself the "[[lima bean]] capital of the world", until Guatemala surpassed it in the 1990s. The city still hosts an annual lima bean festival.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Eric Levin|url=http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/happy-harvests.html|title=Happy Harvests|magazine=[[New Jersey Monthly]]|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704235249/http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/happy-harvests.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Geology===
The oldest rocks in the county are at a depth of {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, formed during the [[Precambrian]] era. These [[metamorphic rock]]s include [[gneiss]], [[quartzite]], and [[schist]]. During the [[Paleozoic]] era, the region was part of a mountainous landmass that extended from the Arctic to Mexico. Erosion during the [[Triassic]] and [[Jurassic]] periods formed valleys that gathered sediment, which deposited and layered as the coastline receded and rose. In the [[Paleocene]] and [[Eocene]] epochs, as well as the later [[Miocene]] epoch, the area that is now Cape May County was under water. The coastline receded again during the [[Quaternary]] period.<ref name="geo"/>

During the [[Sangamonian]] [[interglacial]] period, melting glaciers formed rivers that carried sediment to the coast. The Bridgeton Formation deposited silt and clay through a [[fluvial]] process, while the later Cape May Formation deposited sand, silt, clay, and gravel. The [[Great Egg Harbor River]] in its formative stage produced a [[river delta|delta]] that covered much of what is now Cape May County with sediment. During the most recent ice age ([[Wisconsin glaciation]]), the sea level dropped to {{convert|430|ft|m|abbr=on}} below its current depth. Around 14,000 years ago, glaciers began melting, and the [[barrier islands]] of Cape May County formed, likely from [[spit (landform)|spits]] and lines of [[dune]]s.<ref name="geo">{{cite report|title=Geology of Cape May County in Brief|year=1976|author=Carol S. Lucey|publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/county-series/Cape%20May_County.pdf|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422191520/https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/county-series/Cape%20May_County.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>