New Jersey has officially declared a State of Emergency as a winter storm approaches. The emergency declaration took effect at 1 p.m. for all 21 counties in New Jersey. Acting Governor Tahesha Way emphasized the storm’s potential to create hazardous road conditions and disrupt holiday travel.
Travel Advisory and Road Conditions
The governor called on residents to avoid travel during the storm. She urged them to let road crews handle the conditions. Travelers should monitor real-time updates on road closures and adhere to all safety protocols.
Winter Storm Forecast
According to forecasts from AccuWeather, light snow is expected to begin between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The snow is predicted to become more consistent throughout the evening. As warm air moves in over colder air, a transition from snow to sleet will occur in some areas.
- Areas south and west of Philadelphia may receive just a coating to an inch of snow before sleet takes over.
- Philadelphia and much of its northwestern suburbs are expected to see 1 to 3 inches of snow.
- Allentown is predicted to receive closer to 3 inches.
Road Restrictions
In preparation for the storm, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) crews have been mobilized. Starting at 3 p.m., there will be restrictions on certain vehicles on major highways. This includes:
- Tractor-trailers
- Empty CDL trucks
- RV vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Passenger vehicles towing trailers
The affected routes include I-78, I-80, I-280, I-287, and Route 440. The State of Emergency will remain in place until weather conditions improve.
For updated forecasts, residents can check El-Balad’s weather section.
