The east coast is gearing up for the worst as a parts of our area prepare for the coming winter blast. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch from 6 p.m. tonight through Shabbos afternoon for areas in New York, with parts of the Garden State under a Blizzard Warning until 7 p.m. tomorrow.
“It’s a big storm. It’s a quick storm,” said CBS 2HD’s meteorologist John Elliott.
The heaviest snowfall is expected during the overnight hours. The storm is headed our way, and some areas in the south received up to 24 inches of snow. However, a high pressure system was over our area today, mitigating the amount of snow we’ll receive.
New York City, Long Island and to the west, between three and six inches of snowfall were expected, with six inches more likely in parts of Morris and Warren County.
“Six plus to the south,” said Elliott. “Parts of Middlesex, Monmouth County, definitely, you’re going to be dealing with significantly greater numbers than, say Rockland or Westchester County.”
“And we say one foot plus for Ocean County down to Cape May. Some of the computer models are hinting that you could see 19 or 20 inches of snow in south Jersey.”
On The Roads:
Crews all across the tri-state area were ramping up efforts today to keep the roads safe, especially in coastal areas. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show that the Big Apple was “on the ready,” with salt spreaders and plows positioned to go.
The City of Long Branch got all its plows ready to go, along with an enormous stockpile of salt. It’s more than enough, they said, for whatever comes their way. “We’re ready. We have everything. Every piece of equipment is up and running,” said Fred Migliaccio.
Also ready to run was tiny Sea Bright, with its small plows, rescue vehicles, and one single snow blower. Chief John Sorrentini said they’re “just taking it as it comes.”
The mayor of Deptford, however, was concerned over the cost of the post-storm clean-up. “It certainly it has an effect on the budget. We’re only in February too. We still have the rest of February and March, so we’re holding our breath for rain.”
{WCBS-TV/Matzav.com Newscenter}
