More N.J. Snow Updates: 300 Accidents/Assists, Snow Totals, Cops Issue Stern Warning

UPDATE: Police had a stern warning as the snow hit N.J. on Thursday. Trains and Newark Airport flights have been suspended. More here…

Submitted by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark

The heavy flakes of a snowstorm that had New Jersey in its bull’s-eye fell harder Thursday as trains and flights have been canceled had the state police issued a stern warning.

Some schools have already canceled out for Friday. We will update as news comes in.

And at least 300 motor vehicle incidents, with 220 motorist aids and more than 150 accidents, have already been reported across the state, according to the N.J. State Police. A long stretch of I-287 was shut down. (see list below).

The State Police said they had a simple message: Stay off the roads!

“If you don’t need to be on the roads, stay home! If you have to go to work, #SlowYourRoll,” the State Police declared.

Much of the snow started falling in North Jersey, from Middlesex and Mercer counties to the north. Rain first started falling along the Jersey Shore, but that’s changed to snow.

Already, the state is preparing for the worst by changing school schedules and bracing for possible power outages because of heavy snow and 40 mph wind gusts.

As many as 6 to 13 inches could fall, possibly leading to more road closings, speed limit restrictions, school closings, delayed openings or early dismissals. The storm is expected to last until Thursday evening.

Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport also were suspended indefinitely, and NJ Transit is cross-honoring tickets while also suspending some of its service. (see below).

Here is a list of speed restrictions, accidents and other updates:

• I-287: Icing and Snow removal on I-287 southbound area of South of Exit 66 – NJ 17 in Mahwah Twp. All lanes closed.
• Garden State Parkway: There’s plowing and salting and a speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from South of Exit 50 – US 9 in Bass River Twp to New York State Line in Montvale 35 miles per hour due to salting and plowing.
• Garden State Parkway: There’s plowing and salting and a speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from South of Exit 50 – US 9 in Bass River Twp to Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May 45 miles per hour due to salting.
• NJ 47: Flooding on NJ 47 in both directions Susquehanna Av in Wildwood. 1 lane may be closed use caution.
• Flooding NJ 147: Flooding on NJ 147 westbound East of Maryland Av in Middle Twp. 1 lane may be closed use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Plowing and salting and a speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Twp to George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee speed limit 35 mph.
• New Jersey Turnpike – Pennsylvania Ext.: Plowing and salting and a speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike – Pennsylvania Ext. eastbound from Toll Plaza in Florence Twp to New Jersey Turnpike North in Mansfield Twp Speed limit 35 mph due to roadway conditions.
• New Jersey Turnpike – Hudson County Extension – There is a speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike – Hudson County Extension in both directions from Interchange 14 – I-78 in Newark to Jersey Ave/Holland Tunnel in Jersey City Speed limit 45 mph due to roadway conditions and salting operations.
• Skyline Drive – There are weather-related issues on Skyline Drive in both directions between Ringwood Avenue and I-287. All lanes closed.
• Snow removal: I-80 – There is snow removal on I-80 eastbound Exit 19 – CR 517 in Allamuchy Twp. Ramp closed.
• Walt Whitman Bridge – There are weather-related issues on the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Gloucester City and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Plowing and salting: Garden State Parkway – There’s plowing and salting and a speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Exit 102 – Asbury Av in Tinton Falls to New York State Line in Montvale 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Walt Whitman Bridge – There are weather related issues on the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Gloucester City and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Betsy Ross Bridge – There are weather-related issues on the Betsy Ross Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Pennsauken Twp and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Ben Franklin Bridge – There are weather-related issues on the Ben Franklin Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Camden and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia speeds reduced to 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Commodore Barry Bridge – There are weather-related issues on the Commodore Barry Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side and Pennsylvania Side in Logan Twp speeds reduced to 25 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• NJ 495 – There’s operational activity and weather-related issues on NJ 495 eastbound from New Jersey Turnpike in Secaucus to Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken Twp . The Exclusive Bus Lane (X B L) will not be in operation today (Thursday).
• Lincoln Tunnel – There’s operational activity and weather-related issues at the Lincoln Tunnel in both directions from New Jersey Side – Center Tube in Weehawken Twp to New York Side – Center Tube in Manhattan. All lanes closed.

Accidents:

• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike express lanes northbound North of Exit 69 – I-80 in Teaneck Twp. Right lane blocked.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway southbound North of Interchange 14 – I-78/US 1&9 in Newark. Right lane blocked.
• NJ 73: Accident on NJ 73 southbound North of CR 610/Fox Meadow Dr in Maple Shade Twp. All lanes closed 5-10 minute delay.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway southbound North of Interchange 9 – NJ 18 in East Brunswick Twp. Right shoulder blocked.
• I-195: Accident on I-195 eastbound West of Exit 11 – CR 524 in Upper Freehold Twp. Left lane closed use caution.
• NJ 73: Accident on NJ 73 northbound CR 711/Norcross Rd in Winslow Twp. All lanes closed 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound North of Interchange 14 – I-78/US 1&9 in Newark. Right lane blocked.
• New Jersey Turnpike/I-80: Disabled truck on the New Jersey Turnpike/I-80 southbound South of I-80 Express & Local Lanes in Ridgefield Park. Left lane blocked.
• US 1&9: Jack-knifed tractor trailer on US 1&9 Truck Route northbound ramp to Tonnelle Circle in Jersey City. Ramp closed.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident and an overturned truck on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound Southern Mixing Bowl in Newark. Center lane blocked.
• Garden State Parkway: Accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound North of Exit 153A – NJ 3 in Clifton. Left lane blocked.
• I-78: Jack-knifed tractor trailer on I-78 eastbound East of Exit 26 – CR 665/Rattlesnake Bridge Rd in Bedminster Twp. All lanes closed traffic using shoulder, 5-10 minute delay.
• I-287: Accident on I-287 southbound area of South of Exit 66 – NJ 17 in Mahwah Twp. Left lane closed.
• New Jersey Turnpike/I-95: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 local lanes northbound South of Exit 69 – I-80 in Ridgefield Park. Left lane blocked COMING FROM I-80 EASTBOUND.
• US 130: Disabled bus on US 130 southbound South of CR 616/Cove Rd in Pennsauken Twp. Right lane blocked use caution.
• Garden State Parkway: Accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound South of Exit 89 – A – NJ 70 East in Toms River Twp. Right lane blocked.
• NJ 495: Disabled bus on NJ 495 westbound Boulevard East/ Weehawken.
• NJ 34: Accident on NJ 34 southbound at NJ 18 in Colts Neck Twp. Left lane closed use caution.
• Garden State Parkway: Accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound South of Exit 81 – CR 549/Lakehurst Rd in Toms River Twp. Right lane blocked.
• NJ 29: Accident on NJ 29 southbound South of NJ 129 in Hamilton Twp. 2 left lanes closed use caution.
• US 22: Accident on US 22 westbound West of CR 527/Mountain Ave in Bound Brook. Left lane closed.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound South of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in Cranbury Twp. Right shoulder blocked.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – Western Spur – There’s an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike – Western Spur southbound South of Interchange 16W – NJ 3 in Lyndhurst Twp. Right shoulder blocked.
• Accident: I-295 – There’s an accident on I-295 northbound South of Exit 16 – CR 653/Swedesboro Rd in Greenwich Twp. Right shoulder closed 5-10 minute delay.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – Western Spur – There’s an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike – Western Spur northbound North of Interchange 15W – I-280 in Kearny. Right shoulder blocked.
• Acciden: I-195 – There’s an Accident on I-195 westbound East of Exit 22 – CR 638 in Jackson Twp. Right shoulder closed use caution.
• Accident: Garden State Parkway – There’s an accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound Garden State Parkway – Monmouth Service Area in Wall Twp. Left lane blocked.
• Vehicle spun out: Vehicle spun out on I-80 westbound at West of Exit 42 – US 202/Littleton Rd in Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp. Right lane closed.
• Accident: I-295 – Accident on I-295 northbound South of Exit 52 – Columbus Rd in Mansfield Twp. Left lane closed 10-15 minute delay.
• Accident: Accident on I-76 westbound East of Exit 2 – I-676 in Gloucester City. Left lane closed 10-15 minute delay, use caution.
• Overturned vehicle: Garden State Parkway – There’s an accident and an overturned vehicle on the Garden State Parkway local lanes southbound South of Exit 114 – Red Hill Rd in Middletown Twp. Right shoulder blocked.
• Accident: Garden State Parkway – Accident on the Garden State Parkway express lanes southbound South of Garden State Parkway – Cheesequake Service Area in Sayreville. Right lane blocked.
• Accident I-295: Accident on I-295 northbound North of Exit 20 – CR 643/Jessup Rd in West Deptford Twp. Right shoulder closed.
• Accident: Garden State Parkway – Accident on the Garden State Parkway express lanes northbound North of Exit 116 – PNC Arts Center in Holmdel Twp. Right lane blocked.
• Accident: Walt Whitman Bridge – Accident on the Walt Whitman Bridge eastbound between Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia and New Jersey Side in Gloucester City. 1 lane open.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway southbound North of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp. Right lane blocked.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – Eastern Spur – Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike – Eastern Spur southbound Interchange 15E – US 1&9 in Newark. Right shoulder blocked.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound North of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in East Brunswick Twp. Right shoulder blockes.
• Accident with injuries: New Jersey Turnpike As of 6:16am, there’s an Accident with Injuries on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound South of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in Cranbury Twp. Center lane blocked.
• Accident: I-95 – There’s an accident on I-95 southbound North of Exit 3 – Scotch Rd in Ewing Twp. Left lane closed – use caution.
• Vehicle off the roadway: I-78 – There’s a vehicle off the roadway on I-78 eastbound West of Exit 20 – CR 639 in Lebanon Twp.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – There’s an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound South of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in Monroe Twp. Left lane blocked.
• Accident with Injuries: New Jersey Turnpike – There’s an Accident with Injuries on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound South of Interchange 8A – NJ 32 in Cranbury Twp. Center lane blocked.
• Downed pole: New Jersey Turnpike – There’s an Accident and a Downed pole on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound North of Interchange 10 – NJ 440/I-287 in Edison Twp. Right lane blocked.
• Vehicle spun out: NJ 55 – There’s a vehicle spun out on NJ 55 northbound South of Exit 35 – CR 674/Garden Rd in Vineland. Left shoulder closed – use caution.
• Accident: Atlantic City Expressway – There’s an accident on the Atlantic City Expressway eastbound East of Exit 28 – NJ 54 in Hammonton. Left and center lanes closed.
• Accident: Garden State Parkway – There’s an accident on the Garden State Parkway southbound South of Exit 8 – Cape May House in Middle Twp. Left lane blocked.
• Accident: NJ 4 – There’s an accident on NJ 4 eastbound area of East of Hackensack Av in Hackensack. Right lane closed.
• Accident: Garden State Parkway – There’s an accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound Asbury Toll Plaza in Tinton Falls. All lanes open to traffic.
• Accident: New Jersey Turnpike – There’s an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway southbound North of Interchange 9 – NJ 18 in New Brunswick. Right shoulder blocked.
• Overturned vehicle: Garden State Parkway – There’s an overturned vehicle and a Vehicle off the roadway on the Garden State Parkway express lanes southbound South of Exit 109 – CR 520 in Middletown Twp.

The Christie administration has authorized the closing of state offices on Thursday‎ for all non-essential employees. Essential employees should report to work on their regular schedule.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning – the highest threat level for snow, other than a blizzard – for all New Jersey counties except for Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland. A winter weather advisory has been issued for those counties.

Forecasters say the snow is “collapsing” southward, converting rain in South Jersey to rain.

The National Weather Service has released a “briefing package” on the storm, and this is what the agency is saying:

• Timing: Onset: 4 a.m. from west to east (starting as all rain for I-95 corridor eastward). Snow will quickly develop from west to east after midnight Wednesday. However, it will start as rain from about the I-95 corridor eastward, with a transition to snow from northwest to southeast early Thursday morning. The change over to snow will likely occur quickly in the I-95 corridor by Thursday at daybreak. It will take longer though to change over to snow on Thursday near the southern New Jersey coast and Delmarva.
• Transition: 1 a.m. – 7 a.m. from the I-95 corridor to the east . A mix of rain, snow, and sleet is possible during this time.
• Heaviest snow: 3 a.m. – 12 noon. Snow rates up to 2 inches per hour at this time.
• Ending Time: 12 noon- 7 p.m. from west to east (some lingering light snow showers possible across Delmarva through the evening hours).
• Warnings: The earlier winter storm watches have been upgraded to winter storm warnings. Winter weather advisories have been issued for far southeastern New Jersey, central Delaware and portions of the Eastern Maryland shore.
• Hazards/Impacts: Heavy snow, poor visibilities and dropping temperatures will make travel dangerous. Significant impacts to travel, especially for the Thursday morning commute due to heavy snow, gusty winds, reduced visibility, and snow packed roads. Impacts may continue into Thursday night as below freezing temperatures are expected to continue.The snow should be wet in consistency and therefore will tend to stick to trees and power lines, possibly resulting in some power outages.
• Wind: Northerly wind of 15 to 30 mph gusts up to 40 mph, especially along the coast.
• Amounts: Snow will fall at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour in the warned areas from about 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday from west to east, with even some thunder possible.

• Newark Liberty International Airport airlines have warned people that flights could be canceled, and they’re offering waivers.
• High impact event for travel especially for the Thursday morning commute. Temperatures are expected to quickly drop to freezing or lower late tonight and early Thursday morning from west to east for much of the region. This along with heavier snow and initially milder road surfaces may result in snow quickly becoming packed to the road surface. Temperatures will drop into the teens Thursday night with any slushy or untreated wet surfaces freezing up.

Originally published here by patch.com