Nor’easter Forecast In Summit: What To Expect (UPDATED)

SUMMIT, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Summit starting Wednesday around 4 p.m., producing 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.

Forecast for Summit

The Accuweather forecast specifically for Summit is here. Note that Wednesday's totals only reflect what will fall in the afternoon and evening; subsequent numbers reflect what will be added overnight into Thursday.

The forecast calls for snow to begin around 4 p.m., accumulating 3-6 inches in the afternoon and as much as an additional 4-8 inches overnight and into Thursday morning.

Summit school information

• The Summit schools revealed their Snow Day policy here. In addition:
• The Summit Public Schools will have an early dismissal on Wednesday. "All afternoon remote instruction and after school activities will be cancelled," wrote the district. "If the forecast changes and we need to shift to a fully remote instructional day, we will send an additional communication by 6 a.m. on Wednesday." (Update: As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, no additional advisory had been sent.)

The city of Summit released this information on citywide closings and more:

"A winter storm is predicted for the Summit area on Wednesday, December 16 into Thursday, December 17 with the possibility of up to 18 inches of snow in the forecast. The City of Summit is informing citizens of the following closures and schedule changes:

In anticipation of hazardous travel conditions associated with the winter storm, the Department of Community Services will close at noon on Wednesday, December 16 and will remain closed on Thursday, December 17. DCS will reopen on Friday, December 18 for essential business only. For more information on essential business services, go to https://www.cityofsummit.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=818

Recycling pickup is canceled for Thursday, December 17 and has been rescheduled for Friday, December 18. Please do not place items curbside on Wednesday and wait until plows have cleared roadways before placing items at the curb on Thursday evening for Friday pickup.

Household trash collection for Thursday, December 17 has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 19. Please clear a path and remove snow for crews to safely access garbage cans.

The Municipal Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday, December 17.

Snow removal guidelines are available at https://www.cityofsummit.org/DocumentCenter/View/144/Snow-Storm-Guidelines-PDF-."

Statewide forecast

Forecasters said Tuesday that statewide, 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 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.

This is the general forecast for New Jersey, as of Tuesday:

• Wednesday: Snow and/or rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow and/or rain. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of two to 14 inches possible.
• Thursday: A chance of snow before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

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.

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