Update: Snow squalls reported throughout NJ. What you should know if driving in one
Snow squalls — periods of intense, near-whiteout snowfall — are expected for parts of New Jersey on Sunday, the National Weather Service warned.
One or more bands of snow squalls will be moving east at 50 to 55 mph along the edge of an Arctic air mass with the potential to hit parts of eastern Pennsylvania and adjacent portions of New Jersey, including Sussex and Morris counties and areas west of Interstate 95, shows the forecast by the National Weather Service's office in Mount Holly.
A snow squall along a line extending from Succasunna in Morris County to Sand Brook in Hunterdon County was located at 11:43 a.m., the weather service states.
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A snow squall warning was issued until 2 p.m. for central Monmouth County, Morris County, Hunterdon County, central Warren County and Middlesex County and Somerset County.
Travel on the Garden State Parkway between mile markers 120 and 134; New Jersey Turnpike between exits 8A and 13; Interstate 78 between mile markers 4 and 42; Interstate 80 between mile markers 15 and 47 and Interstate 287 between mile markers 0 and 54 will become "difficult and potentially dangerous" within minutes, the notice said.
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"Near whiteout conditions and a quick one-half inch of snow in just 10 to 15 minutes will lead to dangerous travel conditions as a result of the very poor visibility and snow or ice-covered roads," the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement Sunday morning. "Winds will gust up to 50 miles per hour in the squalls."
The weather service suggests:
Delay travel until the mid to late afternoon.
Pull off the road to a safe location, such as a parking lot or a driveway, if you see terrain features and objects off in the distance being obscured by heavy snow. Wait out the squall.
If you are on an interstate, get off the road at the nearest exit as soon as you notice the squall to ensure your safety. Once you safely exit the highway, slow down gradually, well before the squall, and turn on your flashing hazard lights.
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"If you are traveling, your recognition of these squalls and the actions you take to get off the road or help to gradually slow traffic could prevent a high-speed, multi-vehicle accident and save your life and the lives of others," the weather service said.
David P. Willis: dwillis@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Update: Snow squalls reported throughout NJ
