Nor’easter Impacts In Mercer County: Snow, Travel Updates

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A “major" nor'easter hit the Mercer County area on Monday, producing many schools to close and reschedule in-person classes.

Here are the latest details for the snow and nor'easter that's hitting many New Jersey towns with 50-mph winds, which could cause power outages, as well as snow, road closures and flooding. Read more: NJ Weather: Timeline, Hour-By-Hour NJ Snow, Nor'easter Forecast

Gov. Phil Murphy told people that they need to get off the roads because it's "dangerous," and he said roads should be clear so crews can make sure essential vehicles get through.

That would include the vehicles transporting the coronavirus vaccine.

"This is a big one," Murphy said during his Monday news conference, telling New Jersey residents, "If you don't need to be out, don't go out."

Murphy said the early afternoon will be the "teeth" of the storm and the state Department of Transportation has 3,900 pieces of equipment deployed to deal with the storm. Murphy also said the storm will likely last until Tuesday night.

Murphy declared a state of emergency, suspended trains and buses and restricted travel on highways. Patch is providing regular updates on the details as well as school closings. Read more: NJ Weather: State Of Emergency, Snow Estimates For NJ Nor'easter

Patch also is providing regular updates on local power outages and snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

Murphy closed all six of New Jersey's COVID vaccine mega-sites on Monday, and a number of other sites have also closed. Read more: NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Sites Closing Because Of Nor'easter

Here's what else:

• Princeton Public Schools will have an all-remote day on Monday and Lawrence Township Public Schools will switch to virtual learning Monday and Tuesday due to inclement weather.
• East Windsor Regional School District too will follow a remote learning schedule.
• Trash collection has been cancelled across towns Monday and Tuesday. Local police departments have asked residents not to drive in inclement weather.
• No power outages were reported as of Sunday evening. If you do experience a power outage, please call:
• PSEG: (800) 436-PSEG (7734) or text "OUT" to 4PSEG (47734)
• JCP&L: (888) -544-4877
• In case of a downed power line, please call the local police department.

The National Weather Service labeled the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it's expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Monday and into Tuesday.

The storm was expected to be fierce enough to cause power outages and more was expected to arrive overnight and into Tuesday (see the forecast below).

Here were the expected snow totals:

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus.

Here is the forecast:

Monday: Snow could be heavy at times with high near 32. Northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible. At night expect a low around 30. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday: Snow, mainly before 1 p.m. with high of 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. At night, chance of flurries before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of 26.