Nor’easter Forecast In Morris Township, Plains: What To Expect

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Morris Township and Morris Plains 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 Morris County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation.

"Please make sure you look after your elderly relatives, neighbors and those with special needs as well as your animals since they are also family," the office wrote in a message that Morris Township shared on social media.

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:

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 10 to 20 mph, with gusts 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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