Blizzard Warning, Snow Threat Increases For 'Bomb Cyclone' In NJ

Don't be confused by the early dry air. The snow is expected to fall hard and fast between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in New Jersey.

The snow threat levels have increased again in New Jersey as a "bomb cyclone" is expected to impact the region. A blizzard warning is now in effect along the Jersey Shore, while other alerts have been issued elsewhere.

Speed restrictions were also now in place. Find out here. Here is the Garden State Parkway near the Driscoll Bridge at 6 a.m.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Central and South Jersey and now in Bergen and Hudson counties, while a winter weather advisory is in effect in North Jersey, according to the National Weather Service. The warnings are in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. Thursday.

The snow could cause schools to delay openings or close. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List - 1/4/18

Here are the affected areas:

Travel will be very dangerous to impossible in the blizzard areas, including during the morning commute on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Tree branches could fall as well. Read more: NJ Weather: Hour-By-Hour Forecast Of 'Bomb Cyclone' Snow

Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are expected at the Jersey Shore, while 5 to 7 inches are expected in Central and South Jersey, and 2 to 4 inches are expected in North Jersey.

Winds gusting as high as 30 to 50 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow. Significant drifting of the snow is likely, according to the National Weather Service. Scattered power outages could develop Thursday and Friday which would force considerable hardship where heat would not be available.

Here are the potential snow accumulation totals:

To prepare for the upcoming weather event, the New Jersey and Port Authority officials say they have taken significant measures to ensure safe, efficient operations on the roads, airports, tunnels, bridges, terminals, port facilities and PATH system.

In advance of the first snowflakes, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Port Authority officials say they have made extensive preparations for personnel and equipment at all of their facilities. The airports, bridges, highways, tunnels and PATH have snow desks where key personnel analyze weather reports and deploy staff and equipment.

The Port Authority also is in contact with the states of New York and New Jersey, as well as other local and federal officials and agencies to coordinate response to this and any other winter event.

When a storm hits the region, airlines sometimes cancel flights in advance, so travelers should check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport. If warranted, the Port Authority also is prepared to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports.

The Port Authority also urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals since many public and private carriers may cancel or delay service if conditions warrant. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely based on weather conditions.

New Jersey and Port Authority have the following winter weather equipment and supplies ready at their major transportation facilities:

• More than 500 pieces of snow equipment at its airports, including melters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph;
• More than 100 pieces of snow equipment at highways, bridges and tunnels;
• Thousands of tons of salt and sand for airport roads and parking lots, plus thousands of tons of salt for the bridges, highays and tunnels;
• Hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways, plus thousands of tons of solid de-icers, which break up snow and ice already on the ground;
• Plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains and a "jet engine" plow to remove snow from PATH tracks, and snow blowers, plows and spreaders to clear station entrances, roads that serve PATH's 13 stations, and various support facilities.

Patch photo