Gov. Murphy extends NJ state of emergency in advance of Friday snow
For the second time this week, New Jersey could see snowfall. And though it is expected to start early Friday morning, exactly how much snow will fall depends on where you live.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday evening in advance of the storm that New Jersey's state of emergency would remain in effect and that state offices would be closed on Friday.
“Mother Nature is making up for some lost time,” Murphy said.
While the snow could impact roadways, Murphy said that he was “more concerned about what will happen after” including a potentially dangerous evening commute tomorrow. He encouraged residents to work from home if they are able and to plan for ice on the roads if they are not.
Here's the latest Friday forecast: Winter weather advisories issued for much of NJ
Commercial vehicle ban
There will be a commercial vehicle ban in coordination with Pennsylvania beginning at 3 a.m. for I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, I-676 and Route 440, but not the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike or Atlantic City Expressway.
Weather advisories issued for 15 NJ counties
The governor also issued a winter weather advisory for 15 of the state’s 21 counties:
Atlantic County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cumberland County
Gloucester County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Salem County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Warren County
Murphy said that while it appears to be more “fluffy snow than the heavy wet [snow],” that could shift.
There will also be a “towing edict” that allows for local law enforcement to tow cars if needed and New Jersey Transit will be cross honoring tickets based on weather conditions.
What are other NJ officials saying?
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, who serves as both Department of Transportation Commissioner and Murphy’s chief of staff, said that the department is “more than ready from both a manpower standpoint and with equipment and materials to fight this storm.”
She also noted that motorists “likely will see reduced speeds” on roadways.
State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan also highlighted that temperatures are expected to dip into the teens over the weekend and warming centers would be open throughout the state.
“It feels like we’re in one of these cycles,” Murphy said. “It feels like we’re in a rut right now in terms of these storms and they’re coming so fast and furious. I’m not a meteorologist but it feels like there’s a pattern here.”
Trains canceled: Amtrak cancels 13 Acela trains Thursday because of cold weather
Snow forecasted for much of Friday
The National Weather Service has already issued a winter weather advisory for Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for what may be two to three inches of snow but could be as much as six inches in some places.
The advisory notes that this could create slippery road conditions and a hazardous commute.
The snowfall is expected to start somewhere between 4 and 7 a.m. with a peak impact between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. before it tapers off.
The cold temperatures weren’t just impacting roadways. There were also 12 Amtrak trains that were cancelled along the Northeast Corridor on Thursday and one was partially cancelled, due to cold conditions, the rail company announced.
All 13 trains impacted by the termination of service were Acelas, Amtrak's fastest brand of passenger trains. "The cold affects mechanical issues with the train," said Jason Abrams, an Amtrak spokesman.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ state of emergency extended in advance of Friday snow