Bitterly cold temperatures raise concerns about road conditions across Tri-State Area
ASBURY PARK, N.J. -- After a snowy day across the Tri-State Area, bitterly cold conditions settled in Friday night.
The higher snow totals were recorded in New Jersey.
Towns in central and south Jersey received several inches, keeping road crews busy.
Anyone out on the roads late Friday was urged to drive with cautious because wet roads may ice over.
Hoboken residents bundle up as temperatures drop
Over in Hoboken, some are giving rave reviews to Mother Nature this week.
"It's definitely better than previous years in the way that it's snowed more, and I kind of have that childish desire to like play with the snow, so it's nice to see it again," Hoboken resident Bryan Chan said.
In addition to the snow, you couldn't miss the drop in the temperature Friday night, and for an added chill, CBS New York's Alice Gainer decided to talk to people along the water.
"I just have a shirt, this hoodie and then this [jacket] on," one person said.
"I'm layered up. Probably not enough, though, still pretty chilly out," said one dog owner, who had prepared his pup for the cold.
He added, "Yeah, she's got a coat, but she's not too happy ... Definitely more of a summer dog than a winter dog."
"I am wearing three layers, including the jacket," Hoboken resident Priya Desai said.
Desai said she felt warm, and so did her dog Newton.
"This [coat] allows him to walk around by the river for long periods of time," she said.
After taking an unofficial survey about layers, it seems the magic number is three -- or maybe more.
"I have my gloves on, my scarf. I'm wearing three layers of pants and up top, too ... I'm still cold," Hoboken resident Alyson Zhang said.
Asbury Park turns into a winter wonderland
The Jersey Shore got more snow than up north.
The Asbury Park boardwalk was covered with snow; it's been a while since the snow has stuck to the ground like that down the shore, but as the temperatures dropped, it turned into more of an icy mix.
That didn't keep people from spending time outside in Asbury Park.
"We were talking about how it hasn't been like this since we were kids," one Asbury Park resident named Kendall said. "So it kind of makes me feel like a kid, and we were saying how could you not love Jersey? You get to see snow on the beach."
Watch Christine Sloan's report
It was a snow day for adults on the Asbury Park boardwalk. Waves and wind, along with steady snow, made for an incredible sight.
"I love it. I love the snow. I am a winter guy," Asbury Park resident Dustin Brown said. "The wind's blowing from the north pretty hard, and it makes it a little tough on the face, but I am dressed appropriately for the weather."
Brown and his wife brought their daughter on college break out for a snow stroll, but it's not the kind of beach outing she's used to these days.
"I don't like this weather. I am going back to California at the end of the month," Madi Brown said.
"It's coming down harder than we've seen in a long time," Shannon Brown said.
Road crews hard at work across New Jersey
Monmouth County Department of Public Works employees started brining and salting the roadways early. More than 280 trucks were on county roads. Crews worked with 50,000 tons of salt at various yards, including in Freehold.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden expressed concern.
"We are going to have temperatures drop 10 to 20 degrees tonight, which is going to lead to very icy roads. The roads are going to be very wet. That will turn to ice. So that is a concern for our residents," Golden said. "Please stay home if you don't need to be out on the treacherous roadways."
CBS New York's Tony Sadiku spent the morning in Edison, where the snow started piling up in the parking lot of the NJ TRANSIT station.
Watch Gov. Murphy's storm briefing
State laws require drivers to remove all snow from their vehicles, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It's crucial when temperatures drop and freezing conditions can cause ice to form on rooftops and side windows.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced state offices would be closed Friday, and he asked people to work from home.
"What is more concerning is what may happen after the initial snowfall. By early tomorrow morning, that snow can melt into slush and turn into ice which can make for a dangerous Friday night commute throughout the state," he said Thursday.
Watch Christina Fan's report
Commercial vehicle travel was also restricted on multiple highways, including Interstate 195. The restrictions was lifted on all highways at 7 p.m.
Many schools canceled or delayed classes Friday.
This is the third time in a week some districts had to make weather-related changes. A snowstorm Tuesday forced closures, and delays trickled into Wednesday due to icing.
Stick with our First Alert Weather team for the latest timeline and totals.
