Winter Storm May Dump 16+ Inches Of Snow On Belleville, Nutley: What To Know

BELLEVILLE-NUTLEY, NJ — Get ready to break out those snow shovels in Belleville and Nutley, weather forecasters say.

A severe winter storm is expected to hit the region this weekend. Forecasts have shifted, but the latest predictions call for up to 18 inches of snow in some parts of New Jersey. Most of the snowfall is expected to happen from Saturday night to Monday.

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The Belleville-Nutley area is currently under a Hazardous Weather Outlook. In addition, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Sunday morning to Monday evening.

Belleville and Nutley may see between seven and 11 inches of snow accumulation during the daytime hours on Sunday, with another three to five inches possible that evening. More snow is likely on Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s the local forecast for Belleville and Nutley, according to the NWS:

• Saturday: Increasing clouds and cold, with a high near 18. Wind chill values between -5 and 5. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow after 1am. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 16. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind around 6 mph.
• Sunday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 24. Northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
• Sunday Night: Snow. Steady temperature around 22. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

BELLEVILLE PREPARES FOR SNOW

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham reported that the town has declared an "all hands on deck" snow emergency.

"I hate when the state declares emergencies for snow flurries or schools close for no reason," Melham advised. "Let me be clear: this is a major storm."

According to Melham, township administrators held two Office of Emergency Management meetings on Thursday ahead of the storm. The town is ready with 150 tons of salt on hand, and has been in contact with Clara Maass Medical Center, he said.

Garbage collection scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26 is canceled. There will be no make-up or extra pickup. Garbage will be collected on the next regularly scheduled pickup day in a resident's zone.

On Saturday evening, Belleville police will start clearing "snow emergency" streets and enforcing local parking restrictions (see list below).

Meanwhile, the town DPW will begin pre-salting roads around midnight. DPW crews are scheduled to start plowing early Sunday morning, Melham said.

Belleville police said they are closely monitoring the storm and coordinating with local agencies.

"Residents are strongly encouraged to remove vehicles from designated snow emergency streets before roadways become snow covered," the BPD reported. "This allows DPW crews to safely and efficiently perform curb-to-curb plowing and keeps our roads passable for emergency vehicles."

Residents who live on snow emergency streets are required to move their cars once the street becomes snow-covered. Homeowners with driveways should remove vehicles from the street until plowing is done.

>> This is a developing story. Check back for updates (article continues below).

COLD WEATHER COMING IN ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. held an emergency snow preparedness meeting at the Turtle Back Zoo on Thursday, outlining the county’s plan to respond to the storm and coordinate with local municipalities.

“Although it is too early to determine how much snow we will get, the accumulation could be significant, and it could be the biggest storm we have experienced since 2021,” DiVincenzo said.

Meanwhile, Essex County has enacted a “Code Blue” alert ahead of the storm, which began Thursday evening and will continue until 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Here’s what happens during a Code Blue, officials say:

“When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the county and its municipalities and shelters operated by the community-based organizations will be opened. The warming stations identified include a variety of public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, school buildings, houses of worship, firehouses and first aid squad buildings. Warming stations are generally opened during the day and may not provide overnight accommodations. Shelters do provide overnight accommodations. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice so people can stay indoors.”

View a list of participating shelters below, visit www.NJ211.org or dial 2-1-1.

“The cold temperatures and inclement winter weather puts the health and safety of our homeless residents are risk,” Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones said.

“We appreciate our partner agencies opening their doors to provide a warm and safe place for those in need,” Jones added.

• See Related: Snow Shoveling Can Be Deadly, NJ Cardiologist Cautions

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