Community Corner

Potential Nor'easter May Snarl Holiday Traffic

Traveling around the holidays can be bad enough on its own, but this year commuters on the busiest travel day of the year may be in for a wintry headache. 

Meteorologists are tracking a storm that could become a nor’easter, walloping the northern New Jersey with gusts of wind, rain, and possibly snow, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Find out what's happening in Mahwahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While “a lot of factors” are involved, National Weather Service meteorologist Lauren Nash said, including timing and location, the region can expect wind gusts of 20 to 25 miles-per-hour Wednesday, followed by gusts of 30 to 35 miles-per-hour Thursday morning. The entire system is expected to make landfall Tuesday night on Long Island, and taper off Thursday afternoon.

“Right now it looks like mostly rain in the metropolitan area,” Nash said, “but the northern New Jersey area will likely see snow flurries to start.”

Find out what's happening in Mahwahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The snow is a result of a coastal low-pressure front, Nash said, bringing colder temperatures to points west of New York City.

Nash wouldn’t commit to a snowfall total, but was confident it wouldn’t be substantial.

With the expected chaotic roadways Wednesday and Thursday, as celebrators enjoy the first night of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, travel will likely be impacted, Nash said.

“It won’t be because there’s a foot of snow on the roadways,” she said. “The wind will have the most impact on travel conditions.”


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