The Latest On The Nor’easter In Howell

HOWELL, NJ - Snowfall for the nor'easter snowstorm to hit the Jersey Shore is now expected to start falling later in the day Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The snow began to fall around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. However, the amount of coverage Monmouth County will get is still unknown, as the southern half of New Jersey is predicted to get mostly rain while western and northern Monmouth will see snow.

"With the winter storm on its way, #Howell is ready," Howell councilman Thomas Russo tweeted Tuesday. "DPW prepped equipment and brining started this morning. Township is monitoring the storm very closely. Whether it’s snow, sleet or rain, please be extra safe out there!"

With the winter storm on its way, #Howell is ready. DPW prepped equipment and brining started this morning. Township is monitoring the storm very closely. Whether it’s snow, sleet or rain, please be extra safe out there! https://t.co/p01vlDsRw5
— Thomas Russo (@ThomasRussoEsq) December 15, 2020

Snow continues to fall in Howell/Farmingdale. Roads are being treated and visibility is decreasing and roadways are slick. #HowellNJOEM urges all to take it slow and Drive to Arrive. pic.twitter.com/gJWwu3OT6J
— Howell Township Office of Emergency Management (@HowellNJOEM) December 16, 2020

Accumulations of five to ten inches are predicted for parts of Monmouth County. Combined with wind, drifting snow and ice, travel could be hazardous Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Monmouth County DPW crews pre-treated "critical" roads with liquid salt brine overnight on Tuesday, to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road surface.

The Howell Township Office of Emergency Management alerted residents Wednesday morning to the Winter Storm Warning, with potential wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

"There is a time where significant sleet and icing is possible overnight. Use caution if you have to drive. Remove any loose Christmas decorations," the department wrote.

Here are additional expected snow totals:

“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.”

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders report that initial crews from the county’s Department of Public Works & Engineering pre-treated critical areas with liquid salt brine in order to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the road surface. Later in the day on Wednesday, road crews will be applying rock salt treated with magnesium chloride, which Freeholders say is environmentally friendly and does not burn the grass, harm roadside vegetation or cause corrosion.

“Our snow command center will be in operation for the duration of the storm and the County has the ability to put into service 250 trucks and equipment to combat snowstorms,” said Arnone. “The County also has 31,000 tons of treated salt and 135,000 gallons of salt brine available for use during this storm.”

When the county distributes brine to local roads, it applies 8 gallons of a 28 percent salinity salt brine for every lane mile.

Monmouth County’s Shade Tree Commission and Traffic Safety crews are on standby to remove downed tree limbs and assist with the reactivation and repair of traffic control devices.

“We ask our residents and commuters to stay home if possible, use caution on the roadways, give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and extend distance to snow and ice control trucks,” said Arnone.

Related: Nor’easter Forecast In Monmouth County: What To Expect

The high winds could also lead to power outages throughout the County. JCP&L has extra line crews driving into New Jersey from Ohio to help if lines go down.

If a power outage does occur you can report the outage to First Energy at 1-888-544-4877 (1-888-LIGHTSS).