Nor’easter Forecast In Monmouth County: What To Expect

MONMOUTH COUNTY – A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Monmouth County 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.

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:

Road Safety

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.

“Monmouth County is in a unique situation with this snow storm, with some of our southern towns predicted to get as little as one inch of snow and some our northern towns predicted to get up to ten inches between noon today and 2 p.m. tomorrow,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.

“The forecasted amounts may change over the course of the day and overnight, but I am here to let you know that Monmouth County is ready for whatever this storm brings.”

Power Outages

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.

“Monmouth and Ocean counties are expected to see a wintry mix of rain and sleet, plus coastal wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour from this storm," said Todd Meyers, a spokesman for the area's electric provider, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

"Those are the types of conditions that can topple trees into our facilities and cause outages. So while it is too early to tell exactly where outages will occur and how long they might last, we are on the lookout for problems nearer the Shore."

To that end, JCP&L already told its line workers to be ready to work 16-hour shifts Wednesday and Thursday. Crews from JCP&L parent company FirstEnergy in Ohio were already headed to New Jersey on Tuesday.

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.

During severe weather, customers who are without power can call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com

JCP&L customers can view town-by-town outages in Monmouth County here: FirstEnergy Storm Center NJ

Here is the forecast:

• 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.

With reporting by Carly Baldwin.