Blizzard Warning Issued for Northeast New Jersey: Up to 18 Inches of Snow Forecast

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Upton, NY, has issued a Blizzard Warning for several counties in Northeast New Jersey. This alert indicates that severe winter weather conditions, including falling and blowing snow with strong winds, are expected to create hazardous environments.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad section of Northeast New Jersey, specifically including:

• Western and Eastern Passaic
• Hudson
• Western and Eastern Bergen
• Western and Eastern Essex
• Western and Eastern Union

What You Should Do

Authorities advise that travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle. In the event that you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain safe. Residents are encouraged to monitor local Department of Transportation information for the latest updates on road conditions.

Expected Conditions

Total snow accumulations are forecast to reach between 12 and 18 inches, with the highest amounts expected toward the New York City metropolitan area. Winds are predicted to gust as high as 50 mph. These conditions will likely result in visibilities dropping below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow, creating life-threatening whiteout conditions. The weight of the snow combined with strong winds may down tree limbs and power lines, leading to sporadic power outages. Travel could be very difficult to impossible.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective from 1:00 PM EST on Sunday, February 22, through 6:00 PM EST on Monday, February 23. The strongest winds are anticipated to occur from Sunday evening through Monday afternoon. These hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact both the Monday morning and evening commutes.