Red Bank & Shrewsbury Prepare For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, How To Prepare

RED BANK-SHREWSBURY, NJ — Red Bank and Shrewsbury residents are urged to prepare for a major winter storm that could bring over a foot of snow, icy roads and dangerously cold temperatures to the Garden State over the weekend.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to impact the region from Saturday night through Monday morning.

In the Long Branch and greater Monmouth County area, forecasters are currently predicting around 12-18” of total snowfall.

On Friday afternoon, Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a State of Emergency in all 21 counties ahead of the storm, warning residents that this "is not an average storm."

• Read: Snow Total Projections Shift As Weekend Storm Arrives In NJ

Monmouth County is also under a Winter Storm Warning from Saturday night through Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

“Heavy snow and some ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible,” the National Weather Service said in its Friday afternoon briefing. “Expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates and highways.”

Alongside heavy snow and ice accumulation, forecasters are also warning that a combination of heavy snow, followed by sleet/freezing rain and breezy northeast winds, could result in some isolated instances of downed trees and power lines as well as power outages.

To see the National Weather Service’s full winter storm briefing from Friday afternoon, you can click here.

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service's forecast for the Red Bank-Shrewsbury area is:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northwest wind 5-15 MPH.
• Saturday Night: Snow likely after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 15. North wind around 5 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Sunday: Snow before 4 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Blustery, with a northeast wind 10-20 MPH, with gusts as high as 30 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 9-13 inches possible.
• Sunday Night: Snow and freezing rain, becoming all snow after 4 a.m. Low around 26. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
• Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Ahead of the storm, Red Bank officials are advising residents to prepare with the following safety tips:

“Stay safe and continue to monitor borough alerts for updates,” officials said.

In Shrewsbury, officials are also encouraging residents to stay home if possible, limit travel and remove vehicles from borough streets so DPW crews can plow safely and efficiently.

“Planning ahead and taking basic cold-weather precautions now can help reduce the need to travel and keep everyone safe during the storm — having essential items on hand such as medications, food, batteries, flashlights, and charged phones or portable chargers, dressing in layers, bringing pets indoors, and protecting exposed pipes,” officials said. “Please also take a moment to check on neighbors who may need assistance.”

For police, fire, or medical emergencies, dial 911. For other urgent borough matters, residents can contact the non-emergency police line at 732-741-2500.

"Thank you for your cooperation," borough officials said.

For those without shelter, a “Code Blue” alert has been extended in Monmouth County until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

• Read: ‘Code Blue’ Alert Extended In Monmouth County: Where To Find Shelter

“Code Blue” is put in place when temperatures drop below freezing (32 F), and conditions pose a threat to unsheltered individuals.

If you or someone you know does not have shelter in Monmouth County, they can go to:

• Monmouth County Division of Social Services
• Hope and Comfort Center
• Mercy Center
• The Feast NJ, Women’s Heart Warming Center
• Trinity Episcopal Church
• Lunch Break Inc.
• Monmouth County Library – Manalapan
• Monmouth County Library – Shrewsbury

You can also get help by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the NJ211 website.