WEATHER ALERT: Schools Delay Openings As 'Flash Freeze,' High Winds Hit New Jersey

A “flash freeze” created icy conditions Monday that compelled school districts to delay openings, and could threaten New Jersey’s Tuesday commute, authorities say.

And snow started falling hard in central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore late Monday, compelling the New Jersey Turnpike to expand speed restrictions on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway to 35 mph.

>>Read more: Full school closings list

The National Weather Service says flash freeze conditions are expected across the state as sharply colder air surges back across New Jersey. Temperatures were expected to rapidly fall below freezing in areas that are currently above freezing, according to the police.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service is suspended because icing conditions until further notice., Hoboken officials said. Customers should seek alternate means of transportation. Cross-honoring those tickets is in effect on buses, trains and private carrier buses.

Empty tractor trailers were banned late Monday from the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey and Philadelphia because of high winds.

Wind gusts up to 45 miles an hour can be expected as the cold air moves back in. Wet roadways and sidewalks will become icy very quickly this afternoon and evening, resulting in hazardous travel conditions, according to police.

The storm already has made commuting a mess. As of noon, there were 112 reported crashes and 177 motorist aids in State Police patrolled areas - more than last week’s blizzard.

>>Read More: WEATHER ALERT: Hour-by-Hour Forecast in New Jersey

Police have closed Riverside Drive between Clawson Avenue and River Road in Hillsborough because of high water, and the wet, wintery conditions continue to cause trouble for drivers.

Snow and rain fell through the night as speed restrictions were imposed on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, and schools and colleges already were announcing early dismissals and closings.

About 500 people were without power in Point Pleasant Boro and scattered outages were reported elsewhere. A quarter inch of ice was expected to form on New Jersey roads.

Nearly 6 inches of snow fell in Wayne and nearly 8 inches in Morris County, though much of what fell on central New Jersey and South Jersey was rain. About two inches fell in Middlesex County, while less than an inch fell in Ocean.

The state Department of Transportation said it had more than 1,900 salt spreaders in South Jersey and snow plows in North Jersey clearing the roadways. The DOT was worried about a re-freeze in the afternoon.

As of 2 p.m.:

• As of 2:53 p.m., there was snow removal and a 35-mph speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions between Exit 6 and the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee.
• As of 2:26 p.m., there was a 35-mph speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Exit 90 in Brick to the New York State line.
• At 6:07 a.m., there was flooding on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway southbound at south of Exit 13A. Right lane blocked.
• At 5:49 a.m., there was a 45-mph speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from Delaware Memorial Bridge to Exit 8A North of that, it was 35 mph.
• At 6 a.m., the Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing had 25-mph speed restrictions, and the Walt Whitman Bridge and Ben Franklin Bridge had 35-mph speed restrictions.
• At 2:46 a.m., there was a 35-mph speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Metropark in Woodbridge to the New York State line. There was a 45-mph speed restriction from Exit 105 to Metropark in Woodbridge.
• At 6:41am, there was an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 express lanes northbound south of Exit 71 in Teaneck Twp. Left lane blocked. There was also an accident on the Garden State Parkway southbound exiting at Exit 147 n East Orange.
• At 5:55 a.m., there was an accident and an overturned vehicle on the Garden State Parkway northbound south of Exit 135. One to two lanes blocked. There was also an accident and a vehicle off the roadway on the Garden State Parkway local lanes northbound north of Exit 105.
• At 5:35 a.m., there were downed wires and electrical repairs on U.S. 130 southbound north of U.S. 206 in Bordentown. Right shoulder closed.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that went into effect at 7 p.m. Sunday, and will expire 1 p.m. Monday.

Hazardous travel conditions started Sunday night - just after the Super Bowl - and lasted into Monday. The wintry precipitation was forecast to have a significant impact on the monday morning commute, according to the National Weather Service.

“This Winter Storm Warning means that significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected, making travel very hazardous,” according to the NWS.

The forecast says:

• The snow was expected to become steadier and heavier overnight, and it should begin to mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain late tonight.
• There is the potential for 2 to 6 inches of snow, and 10th to a quarter-inch of ice.
• The wintry precipitation is forecast to mix with or change to rain for a while on Monday morning at most locations before changing back to light sleet and snow on Monday afternoon.
• Sharply falling temperatures on Monday afternoon will refreeze any standing water on roads, walkways and parking lots.
• A light southeast wind is expected to turn gradually to the northeast, then to the northwest during the course of Sunday night and Monday morning. The northwest wind is forecast to increase to 10 to 20 mph on Monday afternoon.
• Visibility will be less than a half-mile at times.
• Temperatures will range from the upper 20s to the middle 30s, then falling into the 20s on Monday afternoon.