New Jersey remains under a travel ban Monday morning as a powerful blizzard continues to hammer the state with heavy snow, strong winds, and widespread power outages.
A restriction on non-essential travel has been extended until noon. Officials warn that roads remain extremely dangerous due to whiteout conditions, slick snow-covered surfaces, and limited visibility. The ban applies to most vehicles on state, county, municipal, and interstate roads—essential workers and critical services are exempt.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said safety remains the top priority as the storm continues, telling CBS News: “Even at noon, even if we lift that, that doesn’t mean that the back roads are going to be passable. Many of these municipalities, you’re still going to find unplowed streets and difficulty getting around.”
She warned that even after the ban is lifted, driving remains risky—especially without four-wheel drive.
Snow Totals Exceed 2 Feet in Parts of New Jersey
The snowstorm has already produced eye-catching totals across New Jersey, with more than two feet of snow reported in some communities.
Freehold reported 24 inches of snow by mid-morning Monday. Cranbury reported more than 21 inches. Dozens of towns in Burlington, Middlesex, Camden, Monmouth, and Somerset counties are reporting upwards of 15 inches.
And the storm isn’t done—an additional 2 to 12 inches is still possible across many parts of the state.
Snowfall rates reached as high as 2 to 3 inches per hour during the peak of the storm overnight, rapidly burying roads and making cleanup efforts difficult.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect until 6 p.m.
More Than 120,000 Without Power
Wind gusts up to 60 mph are knocking out power.
As of early Monday, over 120,000 homes and businesses across New Jersey were without electricity. Additional outages remain possible throughout the day as strong winds continue.
Heavy, wet snow combined with high winds has raised concerns about falling trees and power lines, further complicating restoration efforts.
Transit Suspended, Hundreds of Schools Closed
Public transportation has been heavily disrupted by the storm. NJ Transit service remains suspended, and hundreds of school districts across the state are closed.
Officials are urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
Even after snowfall tapers off later Monday, dangerous conditions are expected to persist due to drifting snow and icy surfaces.
State of Emergency Remains in Effect
New Jersey remains under a state of emergency as crews continue efforts to clear highways and local streets.
Snow is expected to gradually decrease as Monday progresses, but cleanup could take several days in some areas due to the sheer volume of snow.
Forecasters are also monitoring additional storms that could potentially bring more snow later this week—complicating cleanup efforts further.
For now, officials are clear: stay home if possible.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.