Nor'easter Storm Forecast In Bloomfield: What To Expect (UPDATED)

This article was updated at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16.

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Bloomfield on Wednesday, producing 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.

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, forecasters said. READ MORE: Nor'easter Winter Storm Watch Expands To 17 Counties

In Bloomfield, local public safety officials issued an advisory for residents on Tuesday, reminding them not to park on the town's designated "snow streets" if bad weather hits.

"Also, as a reminder, all basketball hoops and other obstructions must be removed to assist DPW with easy clean up," Bloomfield officials said. "Please use your driveway if you have one and offer a spot to a neighbor in need."

The Bloomfield Police Department issued an updated message at 9:51 a.m. on Wednesday:

"If you reside on a street that prohibits parking on snow covered streets, please move your vehicle once the street is snow covered. The streets need to be clear so that the Department of Public Works can clean the roadways properly from curb to curb. If you are parked in violation on a snow covered street, you may receive a summons and/or your vehicle may be towed."

Live on a county-maintained road in Bloomfield? Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura asked that residents refrain from parking on those streets from Wednesday to Thursday.

The pair of officials stated:

“Keeping the roads open will make it easier to remove snow and enable public works crews to plow from curb to curb. Weather forecasts indicate a significant snowstorm will arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday morning. The heavy snow may cause tree limbs and electrical to break.”

DiVincenzo and Fontoura warned residents to not touch live wires or drive near them.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY

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.

Their weather forecast includes:

• Wednesday: Snow and/or rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow and/or rain. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of two to 14 inches possible.
• Thursday: A chance of snow before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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