Winter Storm Impacts In Middlesex County: Here’s What’s Happening

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – A winter storm was expected to continue to impact the Central Jersey area on Thursday, and it’s expected to produce several inches of snow, ice or freezing rain (see road impacts, forecast and estimate snow totals below).

The storm is expected to impact roads and the ice and freezing rain could down power lines and cause power outages.

Gov. Phil Murphy was to speak at 9 a.m. on Thursday and address the winter snowstorm and the impact it's having on roads and COVID. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Winter Snowstorm Update

Patch will provide town-by-town snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Snow Totals

The National Weather Service issued winter storm alerts across New Jersey, saying that snow and sleet accumulations could bring anywhere from 3 to 8 inches across the state. For Middlesex County, total snow accumulations will be three to six inches followed by a coating of ice, which is the concern for the roads. This will be followed by a wintry mix continuing into early Friday afternoon.

"God knows we're getting another storm," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

More than 1 inch an hour could fall between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Middlesex County, riding the line of the storm, will have snow in the morning and then snow/sleet combination. Woodbridge, South Brunswick, East Brunswick made school all virtual on Thursday. Friday's schedule remains unknown at this time.

State officials said they’re concerned about the storm’s impact on vaccination distribution. The Burlington and Morris mega-sites will close on Thursday. Read more: NJ Extends COVID Emergency, Citing Need To Boost Vaccines

The latest updates show that more snow than expected will fall in Central Jersey, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore, although those areas could also get a significant amount of sleet, freezing rain and ice that could make a mess of roads.

Road impacts:

A speed restriction was imposed on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Exit 41 - CR561/Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Twp: 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.

A speed restriction was imposed on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from North of Interchange 7A - I-195 in Robbinsville to North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp: 45 miles per hour for Salting Operation.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 based on the forecast for heavy snow.

Snow was hitting overnight before the morning commute, with periods of heavy snow forecast during the day. Precipitation is expected to continue through the afternoon commute and into Friday. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states.

In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads on Thursday. The safest place to be is at home.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will begin at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

· I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
· I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
· I-295, from Exit 60 (I-195) north to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
· NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

· All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

· The New Jersey Turnpike
· The Garden State Parkway
· The Atlantic City Expressway
· I-76
· I-676
· Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.

For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

Here is the forecast:

• Today: Snow before 3pm, then snow and sleet. High near 30. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Tonight: Snow and sleet before 3am, then snow between 3am and 4am, then snow and sleet after 4am. Low around 27. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Friday: Snow before 11am, then rain and snow likely. High near 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 7pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.