Montclair Digs Out From Blizzard: Local Winter Snowstorm Updates

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The icy grasp of winter isn’t done with Montclair yet.

Montclair was among the New Jersey towns that were walloped with more than a foot of snow on Sunday and Monday. The blizzard wreaked havoc on power lines and roadways across the state – and even sparked reports of a rare weather phenomenon known as “thundersnow.”

Montclair officials released a local storm advisory on Saturday. READ MORE: Montclair Prepares For Blizzard: Closures, Parking, Trash, Snow Shoveling

The township issued an update on Monday, saying that Montclair is “currently in the grips of a historic Nor'easter.”

“Field observations confirm this is a high-impact event that far exceeds regional automated forecasts,” the town’s advisory said.

Here are some other updates to know in Montclair:

• SCHOOLS - All Montclair public schools and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, Feb. 24. All school activities, including afterschool and evening events, are also canceled (unless otherwise communicated).
• PARKING - No street parking until Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 8 a.m. (extended from Tuesday)
• TRASH - Garbage and recycling is canceled for Tuesday, Feb. 24
• TOWN HALL - Municipal offices will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24

SNOW SHOVELING IN MONTCLAIR

Montclair public safety officials asked local residents to avoid shoveling snow back into the street.

Here are some shoveling tips from Montclair Department of Community Services crews:

• No Curb Cut Clearing: Residents should NOT clear out their driveway curb cuts or aprons until the final plow pass is done. Our trucks must make multiple passes to widen the roads; clearing too early results in the apron being filled back in immediately, causing unnecessary "double shoveling."
• The "Snow Pocket" Method: If you need to shovel out your driveway: Standing at your house looking at the street, shovel a 10-foot area of the road shoulder to the left of your driveway. This creates a "discharge pocket" for the plow's blade to empty into before it reaches your driveway.
• Shovel Early and Often: Don't wait for 20 inches. Removing 4–5 inches at a time is safer and more manageable.
• "Center-Out" Shoveling: Shovel a path down the middle of the driveway first, then push snow from the center out to the sides.
• Safety First: Push the snow like a plow rather than lifting it whenever possible. If you must lift, bend your knees and avoid twisting your torso.

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