Nor'easter Forecast In Cherry Hill: What To Expect

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A "major" nor'easter is expected to impact Cherry Hill 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.

"Depending on the duration and amount of snowfall, Township trucks may plow your street several times," Cherry Hill officials said Tuesday evening. "We ask that all vehicles be parked off the street and in driveways, to help plows navigate safely and efficiently. Where driveways are not available, please limit parking to one side of the street. Please stay home and off the road for the duration of the storm. Limiting travel during and immediately after snowfall allows plow crews and emergency personnel to do their job safely, and greatly reduces the potential for accidents."

The township also provided these tips to make snow removal less frustrating:

• Remove portable basketball nets and trash/recycling containers from the street in front of your house. Place them on the grass strip between the curb and your sidewalk;
• Do not park cars on the street from one hour after the snow has continuously fallen until 12 hours after the snow has stopped. This speeds the removal process and prevents cars from being plowed in;
• If possible, wait until the township trucks have made at least three passes on your street before cleaning your driveway;
• Do NOT shovel or blow snow into the street. Snow blowers should be adjusted so they blow snow toward your house;
• To ensure the safety of pedestrians, residents must remove snow from sidewalks following a snow fall; and
• Be sure to shovel around your mailbox and fire hydrants near your house for your safety and your neighbors' safety.

It can take up to eight hours after snowfall stops before cleanup is complete, township officials said.

On Monday, Cherry Hill Superintendent of Schools Joseph Meloche said there would be no snow day on Wednesday, but he expects there will be time for children to play outside in the snow. Read more here: No Snow Day From Remote Learning In Cherry Hill, District Says

Camden County announced on Wednesday that it will keep its six coronavirus testing sites open despite the weather. They will do all they can to ensure that the sites are free of snow and ice. Read more here: Camden County To Keep COVID Test Sites Open Despite Storms

The county also issued a Code Blue Weather Emergency on Monday that will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night this week, through Thursday.

"Current forecasts project temperatures under 30 degrees throughout the week, with a mix of winter precipitation expected Wednesday into Thursday," Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. "When temperatures reach this low, it is important to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and to ensure that they are warm and safe. Even inside, cold conditions can quickly become dangerous for vulnerable populations, especially those who lack heat or electricity."

When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Code Blue, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans.

Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather. Anyone seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality. The new after-hours Code Blue Emergency Hotline phone number is 2-1-1

Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at 800-999-9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.

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

A chance of rain and snow between 10am and 1pm, then rain. High near 38. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 2am, then snow and sleet between 2am and 3am, then snow after 3am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Blustery, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday

Snow likely, possibly mixing with rain after noon, then gradually ending. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.