Nor’easter Forecast In Bergen County: What To Expect

This story was last updated on Wednesday at 9:44 a.m.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Bergen County 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.

This has prompted cities and towns across the county to remind residents of snow-related regulations, and urge them to prepare accordingly.

In Teaneck, parking ordinances will be in effect.

"Parking of any vehicle on any portion of a public street is prohibited whenever snow is falling and the accumulation is such that it covers the public streets in the Township and plowing is required, except where designated," officials said, in a news release.

READ MORE: Teaneck Releases Special Weather Statement

Fair Lawn released information on their website regarding snow removal.

"The Borough’s snow removal trucks will plow each street curb to curb during this snow fall. Residents shall make every effort possible to remove your vehicles parked on the streets until the roads are plowed sufficiently. Your cooperation will greatly increase our public works employee’s ability to clear the roads of snow and ice in a prompt and timely manner," officials said.

Read the full statement here.

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.

Posted to the Westwood municipal website, PSE&G has issued a statement regarding potential power outages in the area.

"We are preparing based on the snow and wind forecast. While we expect that our preparation will allow us to address outages quickly, the uncertainty of the forecast could result in some longer outages and customers should prepare accordingly," said Jack Bridges, PSE&G’s vice president for Electric Operations. "We understand how important having power is, particularly during the pandemic and cold weather. We encourage customers to contact us immediately should they experience an outage."

Paramus' Office of Emergency Management shared a video on Facebook from Ready, a public service campaign from the Federal Emergency Management Association, regarding best practices in preparing for a store that could cause outages.

Watch it here:

The forecast has also impacted county-wide programs.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announced the county has preemptively canceled COVID-19 testing at Bergen Community College in Paramus for Thursday.

Though testing won't be available Thursday, you can still get tested this week.

"Due to the impending weather, testing at Bergen Community College on Thursday, December 17th has been cancelled. At this time, testing remains as scheduled on Wednesday (12/16) and Saturday (12/19)," Tedesco said, in a Facebook post.

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 from the National Weather Service:

• Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of snow after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Blustery, with a northeast wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.
• Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 28. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Blustery, with a north wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 5 to 7 mph.