Nor’easter Forecast In Scotch Plains-Fanwood: What To Expect

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — The timing of a "major" nor'easter, which is expected to impact Scotch Plains and Fanwood, has shifted to later in the day on Wednesday. The storm is predicted to produce plowable snow or heavy rain and packing 35 to 55-mph winds. (Updated forecast below)

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.

In Fanwood, Director of Public Works Clint Dicksen said the borough is busy preparing for the worst of the storm.

On Tuesday, the DPW was busy pretreating problematic areas throughout the borough with salt.

"Our snow operations are all done with a staff of eight borough employees. We don't use any contractors. This includes plowing and de-icing of all borough streets, borough municipal parking lots, and borough-owned and maintained sidewalks, which front municipal properties, said Dicksen.

Fanwood also sent out a few reminders for residents:

• Residents must remove ALL vehicles from the roadway to allow the DPW to effectively and efficiently perform snow removal operations.
• Residents should ensure that they do NOT shovel or snow blow their snow back into the roadway after it has been plowed as this creates a hazardous condition.
• Borough Code 259-22 states that residents shall remove all snow and ice from any sidewalk in front of their property within 12 hours of daylight after the snow has fallen or formed.

"We will work around the clock if needed and take breaks as needed. The safety of our employees is very important," said Dicksen.

In Scotch Plains, Mayor Al Smith said the township "is well prepared for any weather event that may hit the Township area."

"The plows have been added to the trucks, the website has been updated with communication and each of our first responders (police, fire and rescue squad) are prepared as well. The public works department will be prepared to salt and plow when the need arises," said Smith.

For more information visit the Township website at scotchplainsnj.gov.

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 3 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Wednesday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 27. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Blustery, with a northeast wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.
• Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Breezy, with a north wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

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