Snow Mainly Sticks To Grass, Not Roads, In New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Snow that fell around New Jersey mostly stuck to the grass and not the state's highways.
Still, the wind-whipped snow reduced visibility and the Garden State Parkway reduced the speed limit to 45 mph between Sayreville and the New York state line.
The New Jersey Turnpike has reduced speed between Interchange 6 and the George Washington Bridge.
A winter weather advisory was in effect for most of the state Friday.
As CBS2's Lonnie Quinn reported, snowfall totals varied around New Jersey -- topping out 4.6 inches in Montague, but only 1.8 inches in Barnegat.
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Wantage had received nearly 4 inches of snow by midday There were 2 inches in Rockaway Township and there was an inch in Long Branch.
"It's going to be fine," Mahwah resident Norman Murphy told CBS2's Raegan Medgie. "We get six inches or a foot of snow, it will be an adventure for a day. I just hope it doesn't mess up the commute coming home."
"It is what it is," said resident Susan Cammisa. "I love the cold. I prefer it, honestly."
"It sucks for those who don't like the weather but honestly it's so unexpected," another man in Ramsey told 1010 WINS' John Montone. "Yesterday, it felt like we were in spring and then today it's snowing? Mother Nature, get it right, figure it out -- figure out what you're doing."
To make sure the commute on the roads is a clean one, Kevin Mihok started bright and early as part of a team of 18 salt spreaders treating 27 miles of roadway in Mahwah until nightfall.
"This morning, we started around 7 o'clock," he said. "I'm on standby tonight, so I'm sure I'll be getting called in for icy roads."
As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, the snow did not deter some Jersey City parents from camping out in dozens of tents as they lined up to get their 3-year-olds into preschool. But they arrived at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, and were not ready for the rollercoaster temperatures.
The people in line had family members stopping by with water and to charge cellphones. They finally went on their way around 4:45 p.m.
One Jersey City father said they bought tents just for the occasion of standing on line on Summit Avenue in hopes of securing a spot for their child at the Concordia Learning Center – a tuition-free preschool.
"Two days we stay over here, and the night time too," said Richie Spizak. "Yesterday, temperature all right, but tonight... it will be 18!"
It seems Mother Nature is toying with our emotions, from sunshine to snow.
"It's kind of unexpected, considering it was just 60 degrees yesterday," said Courtney Provini of Bergen County.
"It's a hit or miss nowadays," said Donny Kane of Hackensack. "You wake up and you don't even know what the hell to put on."
While the snow has gone on its way, bitter cold will be coming just in time for the weekend.
The wind chills will be brutal everywhere. At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the wind chill will make it feel like 9 degrees in the city, 8 in Sea Cliff and Bernardsville, 6 in Coram and Ossining, 5 in Andover and Westport, and 3 in Goshen.
Earlier in the morning, wind chills will be in the negative range many areas.
The temperature will remain below freezing all weekend. The forecast high for both Saturday and Sunday is 30 degrees.
The volatile March weather patterns are not over either. A blizzard is expected to hit the area next week.
CBS2's Quinn said it is too early for a radar picture to shape up. But early indications show an active weather system over Iowa and Minnesota, and a coastal low in the Gulf of Mexico, and a very big, significant snowstorm could be coming if those two systems converge somewhere between Raleigh and Atlanta.
Baker asked Jason Cole of Bergen County if he thought Mr. Groundhog was right in predicting longer winter weather.
"Looking like he might have hit nail on head," Cole said.
Bergen County road crews are getting ready early and warning commuters.
"Drive slow, be careful of snow plows, let the guys get their work done, and be safe," said Bergen County Superintendent of Roads Bari Costanza.
In Hackensack, the giant farmers' market is packed with people who said they wanted to get out before the roads freeze over -- and they are already thinking about meals for next week
"Something hot – soups, pot roast; anything that's cozy warm," said Bee Seagal.
"We have fish, we have steak, and we have shrimps -- we have everything what we need," added a man named Benny, who added that CBS2's Baker and her crew would be invited to dinner if they brought over the wine.
NJ TRANSIT trains and buses cross-honored Friday.
Some schools had delayed openings and several closed.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)