It's Going to Snow ... Again

The National Weather Service is predicting snow from Monday night through Tuesday.

Snow is expected to start mainly after 10 p.m. Monday, with total overnight accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Tuesday, expect rain, freezing rain and sleet, becoming all rain after 1 p.m. Highs will be near 37.  New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch will be possible, and new snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches will be possible. 

Tuesday night, there's a chance of rain before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and sleet between 1 and 4 a.m. Expect snow and freezing rain after 4 a.m. That snow is expected to continue until mid-day Wednesday, with very light accumulation.

Long Valley Patch offers up these tips for keeping safe in the snow:

• Get Emergency Alerts: For in-town alerts, residents can sign up for Nixle, an emergency communication system the township uses to communicate  information about road closures, power outages and emergency management procedures. To sign up, go to local.nixle.com/register/ and register for both the Washington Township and Washington Township Police Department feeds.
• Monitor For Possible Power Outages: JCP&L maintains an online outage map here (report an outage to the company by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).PSE&G, which serves some neighboring areas, has its outage map here.
• Be Safe on the Roads: If you have to be on the roads in the snow, the Division of Highway Traffic and Safety encourages the following steps: Tune up and winterize their vehicles, as well as check the radiator, battery, antifreeze, and all other fluid levels. Check tire treads and replace them if they're unsafe. Check and replace windshield wiper blades if the rubber is cracked and/or brittle, and be sure to check and refill the washer fluid reservoir. Maintain at least a half a tank of gas during the winter to prevent the fuel line from freezing.
• Shovel Safely: You'll probably want to clear your car out—. (The link goes to Jefferson Patch, but the advice is sound.)
• Clean Your Car: Under a law that went into effect in October, New Jersey drivers now face fines for simply failing to clean snow and ice off their cars. In the past, drivers would only have been fined if snow and ice fell off their vehicle and caused damage or injury. But under the new law, motorists will be expected to clean snow and ice off before hitting the road or face a fine of $25 to $75. The fines for causing damage or injury range from $200 to $1,000, or $500 to $1,500 for commercial drivers.