Gov. Phil Murphy Declares State Of Emergency, Snow Closes Schools

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as potentially "dangerous" conditions loomed for New Jersey on Wednesday now that a winter storm – a spring nor'easter – has arrived in parts of the state.

As many as 18 inches of heavy, wet snow could fall, creating the potential for power outages across the state on Tuesday and Wednesday as a winter storm warning remains in effect. Already, the storm was causing problems on the roads (see below).

Neary 3 inches fell already by Wednesday morning. Read more: New Jersey Snow Totals, Town-By-Town - 3/21/18

The storm has already caused more than 500 school districts to close, delay openings or dismiss early on Wednesday when 2 to 3 inches per hour could fall. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List For Tuesday, Wednesday.

The state of emergency for this nor’easter became effective at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. There is no travel ban except for commercial vehicles and motorcycles, but state officials asked people to avoid the roads unless absolutely necessary.

"If you MUST drive, take it slow, use caution, and leave extra time to get to your destination," according to the state Office of Emergency Management.

State offices will be closed on Wednesday because of inclement weather. Non-essential personnel should not report to work for their normal shift. Essential employees should report on schedule.

Residents are encouraged to comply with orders and guidance from their local emergency management and government officials, according to the OEM. The State Emergency Operations Center will be open throughout the storm.

The double-wave storm, the fourth possible nor'easter to hit New Jersey in three weeks, could be a "long-duration event" packing 45 mph winds. The bulk of the storm is expected to come in two waves, especially on Wednesday, and could extend the nor'easter to a 36-hour system.

The National Weather Service also described the nor'easter as potentially "dangerous," saying the storm will threaten the region with heavy accumulations of wind-driven sleet and snow that could cause widespread power outages and make travel very difficult at times.

Thundersnow is also possible, the NWS says. A winter storm warning is in effect across the state.
The system will effectively work initially as a pair of back-to-back noreasters that will merge into a single intense storm off the mid Atlantic coast by Wednesday afternoon, according to the NWS.

We have the hour-by-hour forecast of the snow for all regions of New Jersey. Read more: NJ Weather: Hour-By-Hour Forecast Of Heavy Nor'easter Snowstorm

Other impacts to services include:

• Approximately 838 Newark Liberty International Airport flights that were scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled.
• NJ Transit says it is implementing its severe weather schedule on its rail system for Wednesday as "significant heavy, wet snow accumulation is expected throughout the state." Rail delays and cancellations are possible as the storm progresses.
• Effective Tuesday, at 8:00 p.m., a commercial vehicle travel ban was imposed for the entire length of following roadways: I-78, I-80, I-280 and I-287. The commercial vehicle travel ban applies to: all tractor-trailers, empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles and motorcycles.

Here is what is expected in terms of snow totals, which could change depending on the track of the storm:

Here are the road conditions:

• Outerbridge Crossing: Speed restriction on the Outerbridge Crossing in both directions from New York side in Staten Island to New Jersey side in Perth Amboy; 30 miles per hour due to weather.
• Garden State Parkway: Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Exit 129 - New Jersey Turnpike/US 9/I-287/NJ 440 in Woodbridge Twp to South of Exit 143C - NJ 124 in Irvington Twp 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Walt Whitman Bridge: Speed restriction on the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey side in Gloucester City and Pennsylvania side in Philadelphia; 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Commodore Barry Bridge: Speed restriction on the Commodore Barry Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side and Pennsylvania Side in Logan Twp; 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Betsy Ross Bridge: Speed restriction on the Betsy Ross Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Pennsauken Twp and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia; 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Ben Franklin Bridge: Speed restriction on the Ben Franklin Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Camden and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia; 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• NJ 147L Flooding on NJ 147 in both directions west of W Anglesea Dr in Middle Twp. One lane may be closed; use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Twp to south of Interchange 6 - Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mansfield Twp 50 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Pulaski Skyway: Disabled vehicle on Pulaski Skyway southbound Broadway in Jersey City. All lanes temporarily closed.
• Goethals Bridge: Speed restriction on the Goethals Bridge in both directions from New Jersey side in Elizabeth to New York side in Staten Island of 30 miles per hour due to long term construction.

Here's what happened on Tuesday:

• New Jersey Turnpike: Speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Twp to South of Interchange 11 - Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge Twp; 45 miles per hour due to salting operations.
• Commodore Barry Bridge: Speed restriction on the Commodore Barry Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side and Pennsylvania Side in Logan Twp; 25 mph
• Walt Whitman Bridge: Speed restriction on the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Gloucester City and Pennsylvania Side - Toll Plaza in Philadelphia; 25 mph.
• Betsy Ross Bridge: Speed restriction on the Betsy Ross Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side - Toll Plaza in Pennsauken Twp and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia; 25 mph
• US 322: Flooding on US 322 westbound NJ 50 in Hamilton Twp. Entrance ramp closed; use caution.
• Ben Franklin Bridge: Speed restriction on the Ben Franklin Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Camden and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia; 25 mph.
• Garden State Parkway: Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Asbury Toll Plaza in Tinton Falls speed limit reduced to 35 mph due to weather conditions and roadway operations.
• Garden State Parkway: Disabled vehicle on the Garden State Parkway northbound North of Exit 91B-A- CR 549/Chambers Bridge Road in Wall Twp. Center lane blocked.
• NJ 208: Overturned tractor trailer on NJ 208 northbound ramp to Lincoln Av in Glen Rock. Exit ramp closed.
• Betsy Ross Bridge: Accident on the Betsy Ross Bridge westbound between New Jersey Side in Pennsauken Twp and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia. One lane open to traffic.
• US 322: Flooding on US 322 westbound NJ 50 in Hamilton Twp. Entrance ramp closed use caution.
• Garden State Parkway: Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Asbury Toll Plaza in Tinton Falls speed limit reduced to 35 mph due to weather conditions and roadway operations.
• I-195: Accident on I-195 in both directions ramp to Exit 21 - CR 527 in Jackson Twp. Ramp closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• George Washington Bridge: Disabled truck on the George Washington Bridge westbound Mid-Span/Upper Level in Manhattan. Right lane blocked.
• I-295: Vehicle spun out on I-295 northbound North of Exit 47 - CR 541/Burlington-Mount Holly Rd in Burlington Twp. Left shoulder closed 5 minute delay, use caution.
• I-195: Accident on I-195 eastbound West of Exit 11 - CR 524 in Upper Freehold Twp. 1 lane may be closed 10-15 minute delay, use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound North of Interchange 6 - Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mansfield Twp. Left lane blocked.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound North of Interchange 1 - Delaware Memorial Bridge in Carneys Point Twp. Left lane blocked.
• I-295: Accident on I-295 southbound South of Exit 7 in Oldmans Twp. Median use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Vehicle off the roadway on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound North of Interchange 1 - Delaware Memorial Bridge in Carneys Point Twp. All lanes open to traffic.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound South of Interchange 2 - US 322 in Woolwich Twp. All lanes open to traffic.
• Garden State Parkway: Accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound Exit 74 - CR 614 in Lacey Twp. Left lane blocked.
• I-195: Overturned vehicle on I-195 westbound West of Exit 22 - CR 638 in Jackson Twp. Left lane closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound North of Interchange 1 - Delaware Memorial Bridge in Oldmans Twp. All lanes open to traffic.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident and a Vehicle off the roadway on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound North of Interchange 4 - NJ 73 in Mount Laurel Twp. All lanes open to traffic.

Cross-honoring, meanwhile, is in effect on NJ Transit bus, private carriers, rail, light rail and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd St. in New York for Wednesday. All Access Link service will be suspended statewide for Wednesday.

Bus and light rail services are anticipated to operate regular weekday schedules as weather conditions permit.

Due to the projected rapid snow accumulation in conjunction with possible local and county travel bans, there is the potential for all bus service -- including bus service to/from PABT-- to be suspended before the start of the afternoon rush hour. Light Rail delays and cancellations are possible as the storm progresses.

Here is what is also expected from the storm:

• This will be a heavy, wet snow which will be difficult to shovel and will stick to trees and power lines. This, combined with the strong winds could lead to power outages and tree damage.
• Coastal flooding will be a concern through the next three high tide cycles. Minor coastal flooding is expected tonight. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected with the high tide cycles Wednesday and Wednesday night.
• Mixed precipitation expected on Tuesday which should be mostly sleet and freezing rain. Total wet snow and sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches on Tuesday with up to 1/10 of an inch of glaze possible.
• For Wednesday, total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches.
• The winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening.
• Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the evening commute on Tuesday. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times.
• Plan on very difficult travel conditions Wednesday afternoon, including during the evening commute on Wednesday when snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are expected. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.
• Widespread power outages are possible, especially Wednesday. Northeast to north wind will gust 25 to 45 MPH at times.

How close this storm tracks to the coast during the middle of the week will determine whether the heaviest band of snow sets up along the I-95 corridor, farther inland or well out to sea, according to AccuWeather.

Those with flights into and out of the major Northeast hubs should be prepared for possible delays and cancellations at midweek, according to AccuWeather.

Between the two storms, the mid-Atlantic coast may also face an extended stretch of gusty northeasterly winds especially on Wednesday, according to AccuWeather. The risk for minor coastal flooding will steadily increase.

Regardless of snowfall accumulation, the storm is likely to usher in another round of cold, blustery conditions to the Northeast in its wake, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday night: Rain likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 2am, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Low around 30. Northeast wind 15 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Wednesday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 33. Breezy, with a north wind 17 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow, mainly before 9pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. North wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

NJDOT photo, Photo by Helena Mitchell, Photo courtesy Brookline, Mass. police