Early Dismissal for Mahwah Schools Thursday, Town Warns of ‘Dangerous’ Storm

The first day back to school after the winter recess will be a short one in Mahwah.

Township schools will be operating on a single session schedule Thursday in light of an impending storm that township officials are warning could be very severe. The district posted the announcement and schedule on its website.

The half-day announcement comes in the wake of a Nixle alert sent out by Mayor Bill Laforet warning of a potentially "dangerous" storm that is predicted to start Thursday.

"Conditions are expected to occur that will make travel dangerous. Please stay off the roads once the storms start unless absolutely necessary," Laforet said in the alert. 

"Remember overnight street parking is prohibited in Mahwah. The wind chills and strong winds present an especially dangerous condition. Please take necessary precautions. Check on neighbors and the elderly."

Orange & Rockland also declared a company-wide Storm Watch in anticipation of the snow, saying staff is standing by to respond in case of power outages in the area.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday to 1 p.m. Friday. The NWS has issued the following prediction:

• Thursday: Snow showers likely before 8am, then snow showers and freezing drizzle likely. Cloudy, with a high near 30. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Thursday Night: Snow with widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 12. North wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
• Friday: Snow showers with widespread blowing snow before 10am, then widespread blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers between 10am and 1pm, then widespread blowing snow after 1pm. High near 17. Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
• Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -7. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the evening.