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

As of 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning, weather forecasters’ early predictions of several inches of snowfall in the Essex and Hudson County region had not come to fruition.

But don’t put the snow shovels away just yet; rotten weather may still be on its way.

The National Weather Service is now predicting a possible snowfall of three to six inches on Friday afternoon/evening, a two-inch increase from earlier 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.”

The NWS advisory remains in effect until 2 a.m. on Saturday.

SCHOOL COLOSINGS AND EARLY DISMISSALS

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

• South Orange-Maplewood Maplewood - Early closing
• 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.

• Immaculate Conception-Montclair - Early release at noon

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

LOCAL FORECAST FOR WEST ORANGE

Source: National Weather Service

Friday: Snow, mainly after noon. Temperature falling to around 33 by 2pm. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow, mainly before 9pm. Steady temperature around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 30 and 40 early. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind around 11 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 11 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.