Winter Storm Impacts In Middletown: Here’s What’s Happening

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday, February 18 to 10 a.m. Friday, February 19 for the Middletown area as a winter storm is expected to continue to impact the area (see forecast, road impacts and estimated snow totals below).

A heavy mixed precipitation is expected with snow accumulations totaling 4 to 6 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. The snow will fall in the area early Thursday morning and could be heavy at times in the morning and early afternoon. A change to sleet and freezing rain is expected by late afternoon or evening. A light wintry precipitation will likely continue into the daytime hours on Friday.

Gov. Phil Murphy was to speak at 9 a.m. on Thursday and address the winter snowstorm and the impact it's having on roads and COVID. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Winter Snowstorm Update

Patch will provide town-by-town snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Snow Totals

Middletown residents are asked to please keep all vehicles, trailers and any other obstructions off the streets so plows may more effectively clear roadways. Please do not throw snow back onto roads that the state, county or Township are trying to clear.

Combined with wind, drifting snow and ice, travel could be hazardous. Please refrain from driving during the storm.

The storm could also be one that could knock down wires and cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service.

“The County has the capability to put 250 trucks and equipment in operation with spreading and plowing capabilities,” said Monmouth Commissioner Director Tom Arnone. “If you must be on the roads, please exercise caution and if you come across plows and sand trucks, make sure to give them room to do their work.”

The County has 30,000 tons of treated salt and 130,000 gallons of salt brine. The salt brine and pre-application of treated rock salt prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the roads. The treated rock salt is more environmentally friendly.

State officials said they’re concerned about the storm’s impact on vaccination distribution. The Burlington and Morris mega-sites will close on Thursday. Read more: NJ Extends COVID Emergency, Citing Need To Boost Vaccines

Road impacts:

A speed restriction was imposed on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Exit 41 - CR561/Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Twp: 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.

A speed restriction was imposed on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from North of Interchange 7A - I-195 in Robbinsville to North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp: 45 miles per hour for Salting Operation.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 based on the forecast for heavy snow.

Snow was hitting overnight before the morning commute, with periods of heavy snow forecast during the day. Precipitation is expected to continue through the afternoon commute and into Friday. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states.

In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads on Thursday. The safest place to be is at home.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will begin at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

· I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
· I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
· I-295, from Exit 60 (I-195) north to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
· NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
· All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

· The New Jersey Turnpike
· The Garden State Parkway
· The Atlantic City Expressway
· I-76
· I-676

· Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.
For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

Here is the forecast:
Wednesday night: A chance of snow, mainly after 5 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 24. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday: Snow, mainly after 8 a.m. High near 30. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Snow before midnight, then snow and sleet. Low around 28. Northeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Friday: Snow and sleet before 9 a.m., then snow likely between 9am and 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 2 p.m. High near 35. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then a chance of snow between 10pm and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.