A quick-moving winter storm is set to hit the region on Sunday, bringing a wallop of snow followed by “dangerously cold temperatures,” prompting the presidential inauguration to be moved indoors for the first time in 40 years.
The storm, expected to begin as early as Sunday morning, could drop between 5 and 8 inches in North Jersey before tapering off at night, according to the National Weather Service. The winter weather will stretch across the Northeast, including the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, according to forecasters.
Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency for Sunday. It will take effect at 8 a.m. and apply to all 21 counties, Murphy said.
“As always, I urge all New Jerseyans to use caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” Murphy said in a statement.
At its peak, snow may fall at rates of a ½ to 1 inch per hour in North Jersey, making for slippery travel conditions and limited visibility on roads, and especially bridges and overpasses.
The governor’s declaration does not normally restrict citizen movements or activities, but it does permit government officials to recommend specific actions such as travel restrictions, cancellations and closures. It also empowers the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management to employ state resources to help local and county governments respond to the emergency.
It also empowers the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management to call on the New Jersey State Police, National Guard, and departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Health to respond.
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The region will experience a sharp drop in temperatures starting Sunday night and continuing through the evening on Wednesday.
High temperatures in North Jersey will be in the 20s on Monday, then drop into the teens to around 20 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Low temperatures Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be in the single digits.
But it will feel much worse as an Arctic blast will bring wind chills and real-feel temperatures of single digits during the day and below zero at night, the National Weather Service said.
On Monday night into early Tuesday, the wind chill will go as low as minus 5 to minus 15 degrees, and 0 to minus 10 degrees Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.
The “dangerously cold conditions,” according to the NWS, will bring an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Impacts to infrastructure could include frozen pipes and increased demand for heating energy.
The snow is expected to cover roadways and highways, and prompt flight cancellations in the Northeast, according to Accuweather.
“This will likely end up being the first general snowstorm for the Interstate 95 corridor for the mid-Atlantic and New England, as storms this winter have not hit all of the areas with significant snow all at once,” said Tom Kines, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.
Bitter cold for inauguration, NFL playoff
The frigid forecast prompted President-elect Donald Trump’s to move his inauguration ceremony on Monday to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, instead of the West Front of the Capitol. The Capital One Arena, with a capacity of about 20,000, will open for live TV viewing of the ceremony. Trump plans to visit the arena after being sworn in.
“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” Trump said on Truth Social. “If you decide to come, dress warmly!”
The last time a presidential inauguration was held indoors was on Jan. 20, 1985, when Ronald Reagan was sworn into his second term. On that day, Washington saw an overnight low of minus 3 degrees and a high of 17 degrees, USA TODAY reported. This year, with the wind chill, temperatures are expected to be in the single digits.
Monday is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the Black activist and minister. Government agencies, public schools, banks and some corporate offices will be closed for the day.
Fans heading to the NFL playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Philadelphia can also expect bitter cold, windy conditions and snow, which could reduce visibility and lead to wintry accumulation on the field, according to AccuWeather.
Kickoff is at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
The cold will ease later this week, with temperatures in North Jersey expected to reach into the 20s on Thursday and into the 30s on Friday.
Get ready, North Jersey! A powerful snowstorm and frigid temperatures are on the way. Winter weather is set to blanket our region, bringing heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures.
Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages, icy roads, and hazardous travel conditions. Make sure to stock up on essentials like food, water, and emergency supplies. Stay updated on weather forecasts and heed any advisories or warnings issued by local authorities.
As we hunker down and weather the storm, let’s remember to check on our neighbors, especially the elderly and vulnerable. Together, we can get through this winter blast and emerge stronger on the other side.
Stay safe and stay warm, North Jersey! Winter is here, and we are ready to face it head-on. #Snowstorm #NorthJersey #WinterWeather
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