UPDATED: Nor’easter Impacts Cranford: School To Resume Friday

CRANFORD, NJ – A “major" nor'easter hit the Cranford area on Wednesday starting around 4 p.m. Schools closed for Thursday and around 10 inches fell in New Jersey overnight.

Schools Superintendent Scott Rubin said that school would resume hybrid instruction on Friday after schools were closed Thursday.

Here are some other storm impacts:

Road closure

Around 7 p.m. Wednesday night, the Cranford Police sent an alert saying that after a crash and downed traffic light, the area near Springfield and Orange avenues was closed:

"Springfield Avenue is closed at the intersection of Orange Avenue due to a motor vehicle crash and downed traffic signal. Please avoid travel if possible. Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating."

Forecast and snowfall for Cranford:The Accuweather forecast specifically for Cranford

for Thursday was "A couple of morning flurries, then clouds and sun this afternoon; windy and cold." The total accumulation was expected to be 8-12 inches.

On Wednesday night, spotters in towns throughout New Jersey recorded snow totals, including one in nearby Cranford. The Cranford spotter said 4.8 inches had fallen by around 9 p.m. Read more: Who got the most snow?

Cranford closures and changes:

The town and police made some announcements earlier in the week (read them here), including telling residents that they might have to move their cars from 36 snow routes.

On Wednesday, they added:

WINTER SNOWSTORM WITH GOV'R DECLARING EMERGENCY - REMOVE PARKED VEHICLES FROM ROADWAY The Township of Cranford, Police Department and Office of Emergency Management are currently monitoring a significant winter storm for Cranford, expected Wednesday through Thursday. Additionally, Governor Murphy declared a State of Emergency across all 21 counties effective 2PM today, December 16th, 2020, requesting the public to stay off the roads during the storm so State, County and Local Public Works crews can do their jobs to get the roadways clear. To observe the declaration, visit https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20201216a.shtml

SNOW REMOVAL: Residents should also ensure that they do not shovel or snow blow their snow back into the roadway after it has been plowed as this creates a hazardous condition. Also, anyone with a fire hydrant near their property is asked to keep the hydrant clear of snow in the event of an emergency.

REMOVAL OF OBJECTS FROM ROADWAY: Aside from vehicles, moveable basketball hoops, garbage cans, and leaf piles (if not scheduled for pickup by the Department of Public Works) should all be removed from the roadway in advance of this storm. Leaf piles can be placed on the curb line between the sidewalk and street in order to keep them out of the roadway and the storm drainage systems.

If you get a fun snow photo Wednesday or Thursday in town, email caren.lissner@patch.com. Please include the photographer's name for a photo credit, and state that we have permission to publish it.

Here were the expected snow totals statewide:

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. Read more: Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency For NJ Nor'easter Snow

AccuWeather was 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 warned 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.

This was the forecast statewide:

• Wednesday night: Snow or rain before 1 a.m., then snow and sleet between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., then snow after 2 a.m. The snow, rain and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 27. Blustery, with a northeast wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45-55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
• Thursday: Snow or rain likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 to 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

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