State Of Emergency Declared In 5 NJ Counties Ahead Of Nor'Easter

NORTH JERSEY — A state of emergency has been declared in five New Jersey counties ahead of a nor'easter that could bring up to a foot of snow in part of the state.

Rain will turn into snow Monday across the northern half of the state, and bring damaging winds behind it Tuesday, forecasters said.

Gov. Phil Murphy's office said the state of emergency is effective at 8 p.m. Monday in Warren, Sussex, Morris, Passaic, and Bergen Counties. This allows the Governor to speed up state agency help to communities in need.

All state offices will be on a two-hour delay Tuesday, Murphy added, and a commercial vehicle restriction begins on major NJ highways at 8 p.m. Monday as well. Related article — Winter Storm Warnings Issued As Nor'Easter Targets NJ

The commercial vehicle restriction is on the following state highways:

• I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (the New Jersey Turnpike)
• I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95
• I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95
• I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
• NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The track of the storm can significantly impact conditions in northern NJ, said AccuWeather.

“The snow will be heavy and wet in nature, which can lead to snapped branches and downed power lines,” added AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff.

According to the National Weather Service, between five and 12 inches of snow are possible from the far northern counties down to the I-80 corridor. The heaviest snow in this area will be later Monday night into Tuesday and could fall around one inch an hour, the NWS said.

Along the I-78 corridor, one to four inches are possible as heavier bands of snow may pivot southward late Monday night into Tuesday, said the NWS.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Sussex, Morris and Warren counties from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Western Passaic County is also under a warning from 10 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Eastern Passaic and western Bergen counties are under a winter weather advisory from 12 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

In other parts of the Garden State, the NWS says to expect rain Monday night.

Forecasters say snow showers are still possible down to the Philadelphia metro area and parts of southern Jersey on Tuesday.