Rain.
These flurries are not the start of the snow, do not panic, we are still on schedule.
deborahg said:
oh. And Ruh-Roh. Do we have an ETA on that?
Right now looks like evening to overnight.
Folks, just drive carefully and you will be fine. Don't let every little turn in the every weather prediction narrative bring you anxiety.
Keep in mind: This too shall pass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKythlXAIY
It sounds like Tuesday will be a better day to drive through the area than Monday, yes?
I am an anxious driver due to that winter of 93-94 when I worked in Fairfield and lived in Highland Lakes. Every week there was another ice storm and it would be a 3-4 hour struggle to get home. I did have some wipeouts and a lot of bare-knuckle driving. I don't like ice especially.
My question is really whether there will be salt trucks treating the roads, since almost everyone I know is not at work or school today.
xavier67 said:
Folks, just drive carefully and you will be fine. Don't let every little turn in the every weather prediction narrative bring you anxiety.
Keep in mind: This too shall pass
bets said:
My question is really whether there will be salt trucks treating the roads, since almost everyone I know is not at work or school today.
I think it's highly unlikely that any sane mayor would decide to let icy roads take care of themselves.
I'm at work today - my commute in was pretty much normal in terms of the amount of traffic. Lots of people driving, even if schools and some offices are closed.
Snow flurries have passed through the area. the real snow is still south of Philly moving north now. Still at least a couple of hours away. There is a good chance the first hour or two will be virga -- it will be snowing but it will not hit the ground -- due to the very dry air.
Again, I don't expect any icing until this evening, but the best thing is to keep an eye on the outside temps. When they start to cross 30, be prepared for cleared surfaces to freeze.
I also do not see this as a big ice accumulation on trees and power lines. Take this with an appropriate margin of caution, though.
Noticed a few flakes in the recycling bins when I brought them in a little while ago. Still, nothing on grassy surfaces, cement, or blacktop.
This doesn't seem like a great day for a drive out to Hershey, PA on I-78. There is a skating event there this afternoon and teams from the Synchroettes are heading that way. NWS is expecting .1" of ice and 2-4 inches of snow in that area. If people are leaving in the next couple of hours, It sounds like they will be driving into the thick of it. Does anyone have any information about what's expected along that route?
Thanks, Max. I'm glad to hear the temps will rise later on so I should be home by then. It sounds like a very nasty combination!
max_weisenfeld said:
bets, I wish I had an answer to that...but I don't.
Looks like nothing, but I hit a couple of ice patches driving to pick up my son. And he fell flat crossing the street to get in the car. Be careful out there!
Bets... just so you know, your place of employment isn't the only one forcing employees to work today. (although there is a very sparce number of faculty & students around here today)
Yes, but mine was nice enough to send an email describing the severe weather and saying we aren't going to close. Ended with "Please be safe..." That's a nice touch!!!
Hope you're safe! Wondering how the roads are, other than @deborahg's experience...
soorlady said:
Bets... just so you know, your place of employment isn't the only one forcing employees to work today. (although there is a very sparce number of faculty & students around here today)
Thanks Max for all the helpful guidance!!! We decided to drive to Philly this morning (instead of this afternoon). The drive was fine and both turnpikes were being treated. We only had blowing snow for the last 20 minutes or so of the drive. Just needed to slow down and drive carefully but it really wasn't too bad at all.
Lovely right now, snowing steadily, big flakes, up to 23.
Storm seems to be right on course. We go the two hours of virga/graupel/plates. Now the mid layer is saturated and the snow keeps falling until the layers warm up. It is already above freezing at the shore as far north as Long Branch, but we have a few hours before it gets that warm here.
The fun starts this evening when the snow transitions to rain but the very cold ground continues to freeze it on contact. We will get a layer of ice over snow, so it will might be a good idea to clear walks and drives in the early evening.
Right now the HRRR model (my new fav) is showing very light precipitation from about 10 - 11 pm until the early morning. This is not, surprisingly, a good thing. Heavy rain overnight would warm the air (and the ground) faster. A drizzle is more likely to still be freezing in the morning.
The salt trucks are out in Maplewood, which is smart.
Be prepared for possible negative impacts from the ice on the commute tomorrow morning.
max_weisenfeld said:
We will get a layer of ice over snow, so it will might be a good idea to clear walks and drives in the early evening.
Wouldn't that just leave a thin sheet of ice on the walks and driveways by the morning? I would think it preferable to leave the snow with a layer of ice. That will give more traction and melt by itself later on in the day Tuesday.
What am I missing here?
there is no way I am shoveling this when it's going to pour tomorrow!
I'm shoveling because my neighbors walk past my house on the way home from work, and I know how I feel after work.
(1) I would also salt the cleared areas.
(2) My wife needs to get down the driveway tomorrow morning.
(3) When will I learn never to comment on shoveling strategies?
1) I do salt
2) to heck with my wife, I need to get out of the driveway tomorrow
3) your threads are always entertaining.
max_weisenfeld said:
(3) When will I learn never to comment on shoveling strategies?
My question wasn't meant as a criticism, Max. 
Just trying to understand your shoveling strategy to see if it makes more sense than mine.
Clearing, then salting seems to make sense.
Glad to hear salt trucks are out - the roads were NOT good between work and home, and I saw one truck that whole way...in Millburn.
Yes, of course. To clarify, we have no sidewalk and my husband can drive over the little bit that's there tomorrow. He doesn't walk on the driveway to get to the car. So, the best strategy for me is wait until it rains!
FilmCarp said:
I'm shoveling because my neighbors walk past my house on the way home from work, and I know how I feel after work.
Any opinions on whether roads will be treated? At work and it's already snowing :-(