School Closings, Black Ice, Accidents, Delays After 'Significant' Storm - 2/16/2016

Brutal cold and sub-zero wind chills gave way to a N.J. winter storm that led to delays, black ice, accidents and other dangerous conditions on Monday and Tuesday

The “significant” storm system affected the region starting Monday afternoon, and was expected to last into Monday night and Tuesday, according to the NWS. Snow was falling especially heavily in central New Jersey.

The National Weather has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook and Winter Weather Advisory for the entire state, saying significant amounts of snow and ice are possible, mainly north and west of Interstate 95.

Here’s the latest:

• School closings/cancellations? Stick with Patch as the storm impacted colleges and schools on Tuesday. Click here: WEATHER ALERT: School Closings/Delays List In New Jersey - Feb. 16, 2016
• Need to know about frozen pipes and how to deal with them? Click here: How to Prevent and Deal With Frozen Pipes...
• Newark, Laguardia and JFK airports were experiencing huge flight delays and cancellations as snow and ice moved into the area Monday afternoon. Click here: Newark, New York City Flight Delays, Cancellations As Snow, Ice Move In

Here are the Tuesday morning traffic conditions, courtesy of 511nj.org:

• Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from north of Exit 127 - US 9/I-287/NJ 440 in Woodbridge Twp to New York state line in Montvale; 50 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.
• Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound ramp to Walt Whitman Service Area in Cherry Hill Twp. All lanes open.
• Disabled truck on the New Jersey Turnpike - Eastern Spur southbound north of Interchange 15E - US 1&9 in Newark. Right lane blocked.
• Earlier Incident and emergency construction on NJ 4 in both directions east of Jones Rd in Englewood. Left lane closed; 10-15 minute delay.
• Accident on I-295 northbound South of Exit 52 - Columbus Rd in Florence Twp. Left lane closed; 5-10 minute delay, use caution.
• Accident on the Garden State Parkway northbound south of Exit 145 - I-280 in East Orange. Right lane blocked.
• Summit Woman Killed in Old Bridge Parkway Crash: Read more...
• Icy Conditions Result in Road Closure in Princeton: Read more..
• Oradell Ave between Pascack Rd & Forest Ave in Paramus closed & E. Midland Ave between Burnette Pl. & Farview Ave closed due to ice condtion.
• Rt 4 East at Kenwood was down to one lane due to an accident that shifted the divider into the lane of traffic.
• Accident on I-78 express lanes eastbound west of Exit 49 - NJ 124/Springfield Ave in Springfield Twp. Right lane closed.
• Disabled tractor trailer on NJ 495 westbound west of Lincoln Tunnel in Weehawken Twp. Left lane blocked.
• Outside agency assist on the Garden State Parkway in both directions exiting at NJ 4 in Paramus Route 4 eastbound at Jones Ave. All lanes closed due to accident - use alternate route.
• Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway southbound exiting at Interchange 12 - Carteret-Rahway in Carteret. Partial ramp open.
• Accident and a vehicle off the roadway on the Garden State Parkway northbound south of Exit 172 - Grand Ave in Montvale. Right lane blocked.
• Accident and a debris spill on NJ 4 in both directions east of Jones Rd in Englewood. Left and center lanes closed - 15-20 minute delay.
• Speed restriction on the Goethals Bridge in both directions from New Jersey side in Elizabeth to New York side in Staten Island of 35 MPH, due to the weather.
• Speed restriction on the Outerbridge Crossing in both directions from New Jersey side in Perth Amboy to New York side in Staten Island of 35 MPH, due to the weather.
• Accident with property Damage on the I-78 Toll Bridge westbound at Pennsylvania side - toll plaza in Easton. One toll lane closed for repairs; one toll collection lane closed indefinitely; Cash customers should expect backups and delays, allow extra time.

In South Jersey and in the Jersey Shore, snow was expected on Monday with accumulations up to an inch. The rain became moderate to heavy at times from late Monday night into early Tuesday afternoon. There was the potential for some small stream and poor drainage area flooding at that time, according to the NWS.

Most places will change over to rain on Tuesday. However, the changeover will occur later the further north and west you go. There is also a flooding threat due to the potential for heavy rainfall.

Property damage due to frozen water pipes is also possible when temperatures get this cold.

Here is the forecast:

Monday night: Rain. Low around 35. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 50. South wind 13 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.