Friday: Up to Six Inches of Snow Expected on the First Day of Spring

Drive carefully, Newark.

The National Weather Service’s prediction of snowfall for the Essex and Hudson County areas came to fruition on Friday afternoon, creating hazardous road conditions that will last until Saturday.

While snow accumulation totals weren’t available as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, the NWS is predicting a total snowfall of three to six inches on Friday afternoon/evening, a two-inch increase from yesterday’s forecast.

In addition to the possible snow, the NWS is warning Essex/Hudson residents that “hazardous travel conditions are expected due to reduced visibilities and slippery roads.”

Several weather-related speed restrictions are currently in place on local highways:

• New Jersey Turnpike: Both directions from North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Township to George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee – 45 mph
• Garden State Parkway: Both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to South of Exit 88 - NJ 70 East in Lakewood Township – 35 mph
• Garden State Parkway: Both directions from South of Exit 88 - NJ 70 East in Lakewood Township to New York State Line in Montvale - 45 mph
• New Jersey Turnpike Both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge in Pennsville Township to North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Township - 35 mph

According to NJ511, the afternoon storm also caused delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.

SCHOOL COLOSINGS AND EARLY DISMISSALS

Several schools in the area have announced early dismissals or closings for Friday, March 20:

• People’s Prep Charter School-Newark - Using early release schedule
• Washington Academy-Belleville - Early release at 12:45 p.m.
• Millburn public schools will have an early dismissal; the middle and high schools dismiss at 12:15 p.m., elementary schools dismiss at 12:40 p.m.
• Livingston Public Schools will have a regular day on Friday, March 20, but activities and sports after school are canceled. The After-Care program run by the YMCA will be open.
• The Children’s Institute Livingston High School of Livingston - Early release at 1 p.m.

• South Orange-Maplewood Maplewood - Early closing
• Immaculate Conception-Montclair - Early release at noon

• Phoenix Center Nutley - Early release at 1 p.m.

LOCAL FORECAST FOR NEWARK

Source: National Weather Service

Friday: Snow, mainly after 1pm. Steady temperature around 33. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow, mainly before 10pm. Steady temperature around 33. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.