Nor’easter Forecast In Madison: What To Expect

MADISON, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Madison 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.

With snow expected to begin later Wednesday, Madison Public Schools will dismiss students early. The district will have a full snow day with no remote learning Thursday before an all-remote day Friday.

"While the district intends to leverage remote learning to avoid using snow days, tomorrow’s storm is likely to bring power and internet outages that may preclude some students and faculty members from connecting remotely," said Superintendent Mark Schwarz.

Borough officials wrote the following on social media: "All departments are in storm mode, ensuring all equipment is operation and ready to be deployed."

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: Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow before 2am, then snow and sleet between 2am and 3am, then snow after 3am. The snow and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Blustery, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
• Thursday: Snow, mainly before 8am. High near 32. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

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