Tens of millions of residents along the East Coast are bracing for several inches of snow Sunday followed by dangerously cold temperatures that will take hold in much of the country from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine.
Governor Phil Murphy has declared a State of Emergency effective at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 19 in anticipation of hazardous weather conditions including heavy snow and dangerously low temperatures, while the transportation departments for New Jersey and Pennsylvania have released various highway restrictions for vehicles during the duration of the snowfall.
Commercial vehicle restrictions are in effect on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey, including the entire lengths of I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, and I-676, but there are no restrictions on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.
The Port Authority imposed a speed restriction on the Bayonne Bridge in both directions between Staten Island, New York, and Bayonne, New Jersey. All lanes open with a speed restriction of 25 mph due to ongoing salting operations.
For the most part, it seems motorists are following official advice and staying off the roads but dozens of crashes are reported throughout the state.
Residents may visit the following websites for important weather updates and safety information.
- Preparedness: ready.nj.gov
- Safety Updates: New Jersey State Police
- Traffic: 511NJ Information Services
- NJ TRANSIT
- Utilities: NJ Board of Public Utilities
Winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service have already gone into effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic through Monday morning, with the forecast projecting up to a half-foot (15 centimeters) of snow.
It is expected that northern New Jersey will see snowfall totals in the area of 8-12 inches, while counties closer to Philadelphia may see up to 5 inches. Once the snow stops falling, temperatures will continue to drop to dangerous numbers.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park Maryland, projected that as many as 70 million residents will be under some kind of winter storm hazards warning in the coming days including in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Large cities like Philadelphia, New York and Boston could see several inches of snow this evening with the highest totals being outside of major cities.
“There will certainly be some more hazardous road conditions anywhere from D.C. up the whole I-95 corridor and then inland from there later today and tonight,” Chenard said. “Then it gets quite cold behind that. By Monday morning, any roads that haven’t been treated or cleared will still likely be some hazardous travel conditions.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged city residents to take the subway and buses if they have to travel during the storm, to make it easier for crews to clear the streets. He said people who need help with heating or frozen pipes can call 311, and he asked residents to check on their neighbors during the frigid weather.
“Cold temperatures, high winds tomorrow, could be dangerous,” Adams told reporters on Saturday afternoon. “We have to be here for each other and make sure our pets and other parts of New York are safe as we navigate through this cold weather condition we expect.”