In New Jersey, Winter Storm Fails To Live Up To Hype
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey started digging out, roads reopened and mass transit started working to get back on schedule Tuesday as a winter storm that was predicted to bring several feet of snow to parts of the state fell short of predictions.
Forecasters were planning to re-evaluate their storm models after the state received more of a glancing blow as the storm carried its heaviest snow and strongest winds north of the region.
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"The system tracked a little farther east, so it's something that we're going to evaluate after the fact and see what can do better next time,'' said Jim Bunker, the observing program leader at the National Weather Service forecasting office in Mount Holly.
There is 4 inches in Old Bridge, 3 1/2 inches in Wantage and 2 inches in Ewing.
As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, shore residents were worried Monday, but were relieved to wake up to their beaches intact and no storm surge Tuesday.
"I got my snow blower, my shovel—will take no time at all. Better than 18-24 inches for sure," Mike Robbins said.
Many that live down at the shore live there to enjoy the warmer months, but snow days taken during the school year are added to the calendar in June.
"I'm excited I am off from school because I get to go sledding, but I'm also sad because it adds onto summer," Manahawkin resident Shannon Conroy told Baker.
Trained spotters are reporting less than an inch of snow throughout southern New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie lifted the ban on travel statewide at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The restrictions were put in place on Monday night to aid plowing and to reflect a ban that was put in place by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York.
Christie defended the decision to shut down travel and said that the decision was based on the forecast.
"It's always hard. I think the only way Gov. Cuomo and I can make these decisions is based on the information we're getting from the National Weather Service and our advisers," he told CBS2. "I think the travel plan was the prudent thing to do. You always want to err on the side of caution."
He cautioned motorists to remain off the roads unless they had to travel.
In Bergen County early Tuesday morning, most roads were easily passable, although the winds were still howling and streets were icy, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
Lou, a plow operator, was expecting to be a lot busier. He said he thought he'd see "a lot more snow than what we have."
Lou, however, still advised people to stay in.
"Don't come out," he said. "The highways aren't done. The side roads are not going to be hit. They're secondary. So stay off the roads."
Kevin, with an iced coffee in hand, decided to go to work even while the driving ban was still in effect.
"This isn't that bad," he said.
"This is no big deal," one Hoboken resident told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet.
NJ TRANSIT buses were coming back on line Tuesday morning and train service was also resuming on a weekend schedule. Cross-honoring is in effect.
PATH trains began running again at 9:30 a.m.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says flights will be operating from Newark on a limited basis Tuesday. Travelers are urged to check with their carrier for possible cancellations.
Hundreds of schools are closed.
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