NJ Weather: State Of Emergency, Snow Estimates For NJ Nor'easter

NEW JERSEY — At least 19 inches have fallen since Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for a nor'easter that's expected to produce up to 24 inches of snow, impacting the Garden State on Monday and well into Tuesday. He's also closed several COVID vaccination sites, suspended trains and buses and imposed highway restrictions.

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. Read more: NJ Weather: Timeline, Hour-By-Hour NJ Snow, Nor'easter Forecast

Already, at least 19 inches have fallen and the snow is continuing to pile in many spots. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

"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. He said he expects the storm to last until Tuesday night.

The weather had canceled three of four flights at Newark Airport, Port Authority officials reported. Read more: 3 Of 4 Flights At Newark Airport Canceled Ahead Of Winter Storm

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

Parts of New Jersey are expected to experience heavy snow, coastal flooding, and blizzard-like conditions and a number of airline flights have been canceled, state officials say. To prepare for the winter storm, the New Jersey State Police has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in order to monitor the storm (see road issues below).

Schools were already reporting closures. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delayed Opening List

New Jersey Department of Transportation officials issued a "Winter Weather Congestion Alert" as heavy snow and winds are forecast to continue through Tuesday, which may result in difficult driving conditions.

NJDOT is coordinating with regional and local transportation partners and the New Jersey State Police to ensure the most effective response to this storm.

Motorists are encouraged to stay home and off the roads during the storm to allow regional and local transportation agencies to safely and efficiently clear highways.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and South Jersey Transportation Authority will also deploy over 3,900 plows and spreaders to keep roads and communities safe.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 12 noon on Sunday based on the forecast for heavy snow and strong winds (see details below).

“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is coordinating with our regional and local transportation partners and the New Jersey State Police to ensure the most effective response to this storm,” said Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “We are grateful for the public’s assistance by staying at home and allowing transportation agencies to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice.”

In anticipation of the snowstorm, the New Jerrsey Board of Public Utilities has been in communication with the utilities and "they are prepared for the weather emergency,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“We expect outages as a result of the storm and advise residents to charge their phones in advance, make necessary preparations and report any outages to their utility. As always, do not touch or go near any downed wires. We know that any outage is an inconvenience and we will be working with the utilities to ensure they restore all outages as safely and as quickly as possible.”

The governor also said rail and bus services will be suspended now that New Jersey will enter a state of emergency beginning Sunday at 7 p.m., allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.

State offices will be closed on Monday except for weather-essential employees. Private companies and businesses should dismiss their employees at their own discretion.

Winter weather was expected to begin in the southern region of the state on Sunday and move northward, resulting in difficult driving conditions through Tuesday, state officials said.

Here are the alerted areas:

Here's what else you should know:

• Going into Monday morning, a mix that changes to sleet and rain is likely from the coast up to near the I-95 corridor.
• Precipitation changes back to snow by late Monday before winding down Tuesday afternoon.
• Significant snowfall is expected, with the heaviest amounts favored over central and northern New Jersey. The expected area of heaviest snow has shifted northward on Sunday.
• However, the exact storm track remains uncertain and a shift in track could bring the heavier snow amounts farther north or south.
• The heaviest snow is likely during the day Monday, when rates could exceed 1 inch per hour in the heaviest bands.
• Snow will likely continue into Tuesday, but additional accumulation then will be limited.
• Strong winds will develop especially near the coast and over the waters with gusts reaching 40 to 50-plus mph, with the strongest winds on Monday, resulting in hazardous boating conditions and potential power outages.
• Inland, gusts could reach 35 to 45 mph, resulting in reduced visibility and very hazardous travel in blowing and drifting snow.
• Coastal flooding is likely and could reach moderate levels as early as Monday morning along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay, with additional coastal flooding possible Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service has released snow total predictions for New Jersey:

Here is what the National Weather Service released earlier for the snow total predictions for New Jersey:

Sarah Johnson, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told Patch that the storm will be a nor'easter and "it does look like it's going to be significant storm both as winter weather system and as a coastal flooding event."

Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, noted that the wind could cause the most problems.

"We will be certainly with our DOT partners and BPU partners throughout the weekend," he said. "We are activating our State Emergency Operations Center Sunday and Monday."

Callahan said the State Police is working with the operators of the COVID-19 vaccination mega-sites and "we have emergency snow removal contracts in place with all of those sites to make sure that those ways in and out and the parking lots are clear."

"Also in conversation with DOT, we're making sure that those routes to those mega-sites are clear, up to and including if we need to escort and make sure that the FedEx and UPS deliveries of the vaccines," he said.

The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads, particularly Sunday night and Monday. The safest place to be is at home.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will be in place for the length of the following highways in both directions:

• I-76, from the Walt Whitman Bridge (Pennsylvania border) to NJ Route 42
• I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
• I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
• I-295, from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
• I-676, from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge (Pennsylvania border) to I-76
• NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

• All tractor-trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

This restriction does not apply to:

• The New Jersey Turnpike
• The Garden State Parkway
• The Atlantic City Expressway

Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.

Here's what else you should know:

• Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – do not park on the shoulders.
• The storm is expected to intensify Sunday evening through Monday, making it challenging for plow crews to keep pace with the storm. The department is fully activated with more than 3,000 plows and salt spreaders ready to clear state highways.
• Early Monday morning, NJDOT will deploy assets on I-280 and I-78 at Jugtown mountain (between Exits 7 and 11), which includes pre-positioning towing assets, NJDOT trucks, and coordination with New Jersey State Police. Additional towing assets are prepositioned statewide to assist disabled vehicles to ensure Interstate and State highways remain clear for plow crews.
• NJDOT is coordinating with all state and regional transportation agencies to ensure the most effective response to the impending weather. In order for NJDOT and regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice, motorists need to clear the roads.
• Residents and motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you do not have to be on the roads during the storm, stay home. If you must drive, do so carefully and plan your trips accordingly, road conditions can change in an instant.

Here are some of the road issues:

• Flooding on NJ 35 southbound 8th Av in Belmar. All lanes closed.
• Weather related on I-80 west of I-80 Toll Bridge in Hardwick Twp. All lanes open from the NJ State Line to I-81 there is a there is a ban on all commercial vehicles both directions and entire length in Pennsylvania.
• Weather related on US 22 westbound west of New Jersey State line in Phillipsburg. All lanes open all commercial vehicles banned the entire length between the New Jersey State line and I-78.
• Weather related on I-276 West of the Delaware River Bridge in Burlington Twp. All lanes open there is a ban on empty tractor trailers and commercial vehicles both directions and entire length in Pennsylvania.
• Weather related on I-78 west of NJ State Line in Pohatcong/Easton. All lanes open there is a ban on empty tractor trailers and commercial vehicles both directions and entire length in Pennsylvania.
• Flooding on US 30 westbound West of Casino Parking in Atlantic City. Both shoulders closed use caution.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Bayonne Bridge northbound. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers and tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds ,Speed restriction of 30 MPH.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Bayonne Bridge southbound Mid-Span in Bayonne. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers , tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds ,Speed restriction of 30 MPH.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Goethals Bridge eastbound. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers , tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds,Speed restriction of 30 MPH.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Goethals Bridge westbound. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers , tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds,Speed restriction of 30 MPH.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Outerbridge Crossing westbound. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers , tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds,Speed restiction of 30 MPH.
• Flooding on US 40 eastbound West of Atlantic City Expressway in Egg Harbor Twp. 1 Right lane closed use caution.
• Flooding on US 40 westbound West of Atlantic City Expressway in Egg Harbor Twp. 1 Right lane closed use caution.
• High winds and a speed restriction on the Outerbridge Crossing eastbound Mid-Span in Staten Island. All lanes open All empty tractor trailers , tandem trailers , motorcycles and car pulled trailers are prohibited due to anticipated high winds,Speed restriction of 30MPH.
• Weather related on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to South of Exit 124 - Main St in Sayreville ADVISORY for high winds; affecting districts 1-5; from 9a til 7p.
• Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Exit 63A - NJ 72 East in Stafford Twp to New York State Line in Montvale 35 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 in both directions from South of US 46 in Ridgefield to George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee 35 miles per hour due to roadway conditions,until further notice.
• Speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from North of Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Twp to Northern Mixing Bowl in Ridgefield 35 miles per hour due to roadway conditions,until further notice.
• Road treatment in progress on Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector southbound from South of US 30 - Absecon Blvd to North of Atlantic City Expressway in Atlantic City. All lanes open use caution.
• Road treatment in progress on Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector northbound from South of Bacharach Blvd/Convention Center to NJ 87/Brigantine Blvd in Atlantic City. All lanes open use caution.
• Road treatment in progress on the Atlantic City Expressway westbound from Atlantic City Convention Center/Eastern Terminus to East of Western Terminus - NJ 42 in Atlantic City. All lanes open use caution.
• Road treatment in progress on the Atlantic City Expressway eastbound from East of Western Terminus - NJ 42 to Atlantic City Convention Center/Eastern Terminus in Washington Twp. All lanes open use caution.
• Disabled tractor trailer on US 46 eastbound East of CR 604/NJ 182/Willow Grove St in Washington Twp. 1 Right lane closed.
• Crash on I-78 westbound West of Exit 48 - NJ 24 West in Springfield Twp. 1 Left lane closed.
• Crash on I-80 Local Lanes westbound ramp from Exit 68 - New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 in Teaneck Twp. 1 Right lane closed.
• I-80 Express Lanes eastbound Exit 66 - Hudson St in Hackensack. Right shoulder closed.
• Disabled tractor trailer on George Washington Bridge Upper Level eastbound approaching New Jersey Side Toll Plaza in Fort Lee. 1 Right lane blocked.
• Crash on I-280 eastbound ramp to Exit 18 - New Jersey Turnpike in Kearny. All lanes closed.
• Crash on I-676 northbound South of Exit 4 - Atlantic Ave in Camden. 1 Right lane closed use caution.
• Crash on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound South of Interchange 5 - CR 541 in Mount Laurel Twp. All lanes open.
• Crash on NJ 42 northbound North of Exit 8 - CR 534/Clementon Blackwood Rd in Gloucester Twp. 1 Left lane closed use caution.
• Crash on Garden State Parkway Express Lanes northbound North of Exit 120 - Laurence Harbor in Old Bridge Twp. All lanes open.
• Crash and a Crash with Property Damage on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway southbound South of Interchange 12 - Carteret-Rahway in Carteret. All lanes open to traffic.
• Crash on Garden State Parkway Local Lanes northbound North of Exit 116 - PNC Arts Center in Holmdel Twp. 1 Left lane blocked.
• Crash on the Garden State Parkway northbound North of Exit 149 - CR 506 in Bloomfield. 1 Left lane blocked.
• Disabled tractor trailer on I-280 eastbound Exit ramp Exit 15 - NJ 21 in Newark. 1 Right lane closed.
• Crash on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound South of Interchange 4 - NJ 73 in Cherry Hill Twp. All lanes open to traffic.
• Crash on the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 southbound I-95 Local & Express Split in Ridgefield Park. 1 Right lane blocked.
• Crash and a Vehicle off the roadway on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound North of Interchange 4 - NJ 73 in Mt Laurel Twp. All lanes open to traffic.
• Crash on I-280 westbound West of Exit 9 - Pleasant Avenue/CR 660 in West Orange Twp. 1 Right lane closed.
• Disabled vehicle on I-78 eastbound West of Exit 33 - CR 525/Liberty Corner Rd/Martinsville in Bernards Twp. 1 Left lane closed.
• Missing Manhole Cover on US 46 westbound East of CR 640/Fairview Av in Mine Hill Twp. 1 Left lane closed.
• Disabled vehicle on the Garden State Parkway southbound South of Exit 168 - NJ 502/Washington Ave in Washington Twp. All lanes open.

Here is the forecast:

• Monday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
• Monday night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
• Tuesday: Snow before 10am, then rain and snow likely. High near 36. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.