New Jersey
N.J. declares state of emergency for entire state due to snow, winter storm Sunday
A state of emergency has been declared for New Jersey starting at 8 a.m. Sunday due to a winter storm expected to hit parts of northern New Jersey with 6 to 8 inches of snow.
Gov. Phil Murphy made the announcement Saturday night ahead of the storm, which is expected to start Sunday morning and continue all day.
The state of emergency is statewide. Most of northern New Jersey will see at least 4 inches of snow, according to the weather service.
Winter weather warnings have been issued for parts of eight counties – Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren. Parts of 10 counties are also under lesser winter weather advisories.
Snowfall rates of more than 1 inch per hour are expected Sunday afternoon at the peak of the storm.
The National Weather Service issued an updated snowfall forecast map Saturday afternoon with predictions of 6 to 8 inches of snow expected across much of northern New Jersey.National Weather Service
“Beginning tomorrow morning, we are expecting a winter storm to bring heavy snow, followed by dangerously low temperatures expected on Monday and continuing through Wednesday,” Murphy said in a statement Saturday night. “As always, I urge all New Jerseyans to use caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
In addition to the state of emergency, the New Jersey Department of Transportation has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple interstate highways across the state beginning Sunday at 9 a.m.
The restriction will be in place until further notice in both directions for I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, I-676 and NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287.
The latest forecast map issued by the National Weather Service shows a wide area of 6 to 8 inches of snow expected in northwestern New Jersey. There’s a chance for 10 inches in some spots in Sussex County.
Lower snowfall totals are expected southern New Jersey, where rain could mix with freezing rain and snow.
States of emergencies do not ban people from the roads or require them to shelter in place. Instead, they allow the state to organize its emergency response, trigger laws to prevent price gouging, and more.
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