MORRIS COUNTY

Worst of winter storm expected Saturday in Morris County

Latest models predict 7 to 14 inches

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR

The latest forecasts for the weekend’s winter storm predict the bulk of the snowfall will hit Saturday, though the exact accumulation totals remain in flux.

Daily Record file photo
Plows head down South Street in Morristown.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management was not locked into a specific storm model as of Wednesday morning, saying the storm could still track south and significantly reduce accumulation totals.

One model has snowfall beginning between Friday evening and 4 to 5 a.m. Saturday, with accumulation peaking Saturday morning through the evening and light snow lingering through Sunday morning, Emergency Management said.

Depending on the track of the storm, Emergency Management said the area could “easily” be in for 7 to 14 inches of snow.

Director Jeff Paul said Emergency Management met with County Administrator John Bonanni Wednesday morning, and a plan is in place to maintain continuity of services during the storm.

“We have a number of Morris County facilities that maintain 24-hour staffing,” Paul said. “Administrator Bonanni is in the process of making arrangements with his management team to provide overnight accommodations for staff in the event that this becomes necessary. We are well prepared.”

There are 40 available county trucks and an additional 80 contractors available if needed, he said.

“We have almost 300 miles of roadway or 750 lane-miles under our jurisdiction,” Paul said. “But we also have a great road crew that is ready for the challenge.”

Deena Leary, director of the Department of Planning and Public Works, said road crews are ready and salt supplies are stocked in advance of the storm, though the severity of the storm was still unclear Wednesday afternoon.

Leary said since it took until late January for the first major snowstorm of the season to hit, the county is at full strength in advance of the snowfall.

“We’re not down on supplies or employees, and everyone is ready to go,” Leary said. “We’re very prepared.”

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook, predicting a major winter storm beginning late Friday and ending Saturday evening.

However, the weather service said it has “high confidence in (the storm’s) occurrence but lower confidence in the details.”

While accumulation is expected, the amount for northern New Jersey is less certain as of Wednesday. It appears the heaviest amounts of snowfall will occur closer to Interstate 95, according to the weather service.

Winds of 35 mph are expected to accompany the storm, which will cause blowing and drifting of the snow, particularly in colder areas where the snow is less wet, the weather service said.

Temperatures are expected to be in the lower to upper 20s throughout the storm in Morris County.

Morristown residents who normally park on the street or have on-street parking permits will be permitted to park in the town’s garages free of charge during the storm.

The Parking Authority said residents may begin parking in the garages at 6 p.m. Friday and remain there through 8 a.m. Monday. Parking is available at DeHart, Ann/Bank and Dalton garages.

Residents must show a valid Morristown license upon exiting the garage to have the fee waived.

Snowfall before Saturday morning

Prior to the bulk of the storm, weather service is predicting zero to 2 inches of snow in Morris County before 7 a.m. Saturday.

Snowfall throughout the state will vary from 2 to 10 inches through 7 a.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service only releases snowfall information up to 72 hours in advance.

"It does not capture the entire event and is our early take on how much snow may fall through Friday night," the weather service said.

Weather models are showing that the storm's pressure will drop significantly off the Virginia-North Carolina coast, meaning the storm will become stronger before it tracks northeast, according to the latest weather service report.

Models are showing the storm shifting east near the Interstate 95 corridor in New Jersey, but it's still unclear how far north or south that turn will occur, the weather service said. So far, models have been showing the storm turning off farther south, but meteorologists will have a clearer picture as the storm nears.

The snow is expected to have a wetter consistency and be more likely to stick to trees and power lines, the Weather Service said.

Kala Kachmar contributed to this story.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@gannettnj.com