As much as 30 inches of snow is expected in New Jersey. (Courtesy of National Weather Service)
Shore towns and the rest of South Jersey are bracing for a colossal winter storm expected to dump more than a foot of snow – possibly up to 2 feet in some areas – during dangerous blizzard conditions starting Sunday night and continuing into Monday.
“Confidence remains high that a potentially historic winter storm will impact the area through Monday. Significant snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding may result in life-threatening travel and crippling impacts to infrastructure that last beyond Monday,” the National Weather Service warned in a statement.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties to help prepare the state for the heavy snowfall, wind gusts of up to 60 mph and coastal flooding during the storm’s peak intensity.
The governor has closed all state offices for Monday, including the New Jersey Superior Court. Atlantic County offices will also be closed on Monday.
All facilities at the Ocean City Community Center (Free Public Library, Aquatic & Fitness Center, Senior Center, Arts Center, Historical Museum), and the Ocean City Civic Center will be closed starting at 3 p.m. Sunday and will remain closed on Monday.
Atlantic County offices announced they will be closed Monday, with several schools — including Atlantic City — already announcing their closure.
Other closures announcements, including the local schools, are expected to be made later Sunday.
“You can help emergency crews do their jobs better by staying off the roadways and remaining safe indoors,” Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said. “Also, consider charging all electronic devices now in preparation for possible power outages due to high winds and heavy snow, downed tree branches and utility lines.”
Weather updates and safety information are available at ready.nj.gov. The National Weather Service’s Philadelphia-Mount Holly office will provide storm updates at https://www.weather.gov/phi/
Pulling no punches, the weather service used unusually grim language to warn about the severity of the storm.
“Blizzard conditions will lead to life-threatening or impossible travel conditions. Snowfall rates of 2” or greater are possible. Widespread closures and impacts to infrastructure are likely,” the weather service said.
Experts have referred to the coming downfall as "heart attack snow." That characterized by heavy, wet and dense snow that makes shoveling extremely strenuous, especially for those with heart conditions and other health conditions.
Although conditions have been changing rapidly, the latest forecast calls for 8 to 12 inches of snow in Cape May County and 12 to 18 inches in Atlantic County, although up to 2 feet of snow is possible. A mixture of precipitation Sunday night could help to reduce snowfall totals in Atlantic and Cape May counties.
The weather service is forecasting 18 to 24 inches of snow for most of the rest of the state, but up to 30 inches in parts of Ocean and Monmouth counties generally from Toms River to Long Branch.
Blowing and drifting snow will result in visibility of a quarter mile or less during wind gusts of up to 60 mph. Whiteout conditions are also possible at times when the storm intensifies Sunday night.
Moderate coastal flooding is expected with Sunday night’s high tide. Spotty major coastal flooding is also possible. Widespread minor to near moderate coastal flooding is also likely with Monday afternoon’s high tide, according to the forecast.
“We also continue to forecast moderate to potentially spotty major coastal flooding impacts,” the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management said.
With travel expected to become increasingly treacherous, NJ Transit will suspend its bus, light rail and Access Link services beginning 6 p.m. Sunday. It will remain suspended until conditions safely allow for the gradual resumption of service, the transit agency said. Customers should continue to monitor service alerts at njtransit.com.
There will be commercial vehicle restrictions on interstate highways starting 3 p.m. Sunday, but will exclude the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway.
(Reporter Lynda Cohen contributed to this report.)
