A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Lehigh Valley.
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The commute will continue to be a rough ride for drivers as perhaps the biggest snowstorm of the year has blanketed New Jersey. Here are approximate arrival times: DE and southern NJ: 7pm to 10pm Philly Metro: 10pm to 1am Lehigh Valley: 1am to 4am SATURDAY: Blizzard conditions are expected in counties touching I-95 and most of South Jersey and DE away from the coast. In New Jersey, the Blizzard Warning is posted for the following counties – Mercer; Middlesex; Somerset; Camden; Gloucester; Northwestern Burlington; Salem; Atlantic; Cumberland; Ocean; Southeastern Burlington; Western Monmouth. In fact, you might think it’s time to kick back, relax, and wait see if my snow forecast verifies.
Yes, a pocket of 20-inch snow totals is expected in central and southern New Jersey. Gusts to 40+ miles per hour are expected for inland New Jersey, with regular gusts of 60+ miles per hour along the coast.
For New York up through New Jersey, the forecast is much more uncertain, both in terms of whether we’ll be seeing snowfall, rain, or some unholy mix of the two, and as to just how much of each might fall.
Snowfall amounts were not yet pinned down, as the Island is on the northern edge of the heaviest snow line, and even a slight shift in the track to the north or south “could make a huge difference”, said Bill Korbel, News 12 Long Island meteorologist. The morning high tides, with a surge of three feet will bring moderate flooding across the Jersey Shore and the South Shore of Long Island. “Accumulations are in the 1-2” range already across parts of Delaware. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches.
Officials have said that their major concern with this Nor’easter is the potential for flooding in coastal areas.
Municipal and state preparations for the impending storm started early.
We expect a complete travel shutdown, with exception of the underground portions of the DC Metro Rail. Storm Team 4 says New York City will see slightly lower totals – somewhere between 5 to 10 inches – but either way, it’ll be enough snow that plows and snow shovels will be in use this weekend.
Mike Dunn, deputy communications director for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, said Thursday that city trucks would begin treating some streets Thursday night.
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“You hope for the best and prepare for the worst”, Cuomo said.
