Gov. Murphy Takes Unusual Step Of Warning NJ About Winter Weather

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy is taking a new approach to winter weather after his heavily criticized response to the New Jersey nor'easter last week – a new tactic that's already drawing some ridicule from lawmakers and on social media.

Murphy held a press briefing late Sunday to warn about upcoming winter weather conditions during Thanksgiving week, saying that New Jersey commuters "took a beating last week" and that his administration is now assuming an "aggressive posture" toward weather.

Once again, however, Murphy stopped short of apologizing for what's been called the state's lackluster response to the Thursday nor'easter that paralyzed many parts of New Jersey for hours.

Drivers were stuck on the state's highways and bridges late Thursday, needing as many as 5 to 13 hours to drive 30 miles to their homes. In West Orange, students had to stay overnight in the town's schools because of the road conditions.

So, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Murphy took the unusual step of talking to reporters and warning New Jersey about a system that's supposed bring mostly rain to the state late Monday and on Tuesday.

One to three inches of snow could fall in Morris, Sussex, Passaic and Warren counties after 11 p.m. on Monday, but the National Weather Service hasn't even issued a warning or an alert about the weather.

The weather could impact schools. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delayed Openings List For 11/20/18

State Department of Transportation crews were already out brining interstate and state highways throughout North and Central Jersey in advance of any snow or ice. Brine is a saltwater solution that helps prevent snow and ice from sticking to the roadway.

NJDOT's Safety Service Patrol also will have expanded coverage on I-78, I-80, and I-287.

The news was drawing some wisecracks on the NJDOT's Facebook page where some said the aggressive posture was "a little too late."

"Day late, dollar short," Bucky Buchanan wrote.

"Bout time u figured it out," Steve Stys wrote.

"That stuff is garbage it just makes our cars rust !!! But it worked wonders last week NOT," wrote Craig Testa.

Some lawmakers have even called for hearings into the Murphy administration's response to the Thursday nor'easter.

“The Murphy administration’s preparation for yesterday’s snow storm was completely lacking, and the storm response was simply unacceptable,” said Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillip, R-Bergen.

“Lives were at risk. Children were stranded in schools. Our taxpayers and residents expect and deserve better from our government for the exorbitant amount of money we pay in taxes to maintain our state roads.

Murphy, who has blamed forecasters for not properly warning the state about the Thursday storm, seemed to stick to that script on Sunday, saying New Jersey was "handed a confluence of events that prevented those in the field from responding."

DePhillip, however, wasn't buying Murphy's reasoning. “The administration had more than enough warning that a storm was coming," he said. "A foremost responsibility of the state is to protect us and always prepare for the worst, not just hope for the best.

Murphy did say the state is developing an new posture after last week's problems and that New Jersey should not be "lulled into a false sense of security."

"That's still fresh in our minds," Murphy said about the Thursday storm.

He also said climate change compels the state "to adjust our probabilities and actions meaningfully and we are doing just that."

Here is the forecast:

• Monday: A chance of rain, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Monday night: Rain likely, mainly after 9pm, with snow possible in Passaic, Morris, Sussex and Warrenc counties. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Tuesday: A chance of rain, with snow possible in parts of North Jersey. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Tuesday Night: A chance of rain or snow before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

NJDOT photo