Nor’easter Forecast In Basking Ridge: What To Expect

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Basking Ridge on Wednesday, producing more plowable snow or heavy rain and packing 35 to 55-mph winds.

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

Before Monday's lesser storm, Bernards Township Mayor Jim Baldassare reminded people to contact Jersey Central Power & Light with issues of outages. Customers should report outages by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), clicking the “Report Outage” link on www.firstenergycorp.com, or by texting out to 544487.

Customers can report downed wires by calling 888-544-4877 or police.

"Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) meteorologists are closely monitoring the developing weather conditions," he said.

The storm will be fierce enough to knock down power lines and cause power outages and other damage, packing gale-force winds as strong as 35 to 55 mph across the state between 7 a.m. on Wednesday and 7 a.m. on Thursday.

Here are additional 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 outbreak.

AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

AccuWeather is warning of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly after 3pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow before midnight, then snow and sleet between midnight and 2am, then snow after 2am. The snow and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Blustery, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
• Thursday: Snow, mainly before 7am. High near 33. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Calm wind.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to josh.bakan@patch.com.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store. You can also follow the Basking Ridge Patch Facebook page.