
BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Weather-weary New Jerseyans were dealing with another bout of winter weather as snow, sleet and rain fell across the state on Saturday.
The latest storm came just days after another system pummeled the state with heavy rain, flooding and up to 6 inches of snow. But forecasters said the system that spawned Saturday's mixed precipitation was not as fierce as the previous storm, and most of it should end sometime Saturday night.
Winter weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service were in effect for northern and central areas, where anywhere from 1 to 5 inches of snow was expected. Forecasters said northern areas will likely see all snow, while central areas will see a mix of snow, rain and sleet.
Southern Jersey was expected to mostly see rain from the storm, though an inch or so of slushy accumulation was possible in some areas.
"Overall, it's going as expected so far," said Mitchell Gaines, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J. He said as much as 2 inches of snow was being reported in northern areas by early Saturday afternoon, while the rest of the state was seeing "a real cold rain."
Authorities said the storm would likely cause poor travel conditions in some areas, so drivers were being urged to slow down and allow extra travel time. Road crews spent most of Saturday morning pre-treating highways and other major roadways with salt, and officials said they felt ready for whatever the storm brought.
Several minor accidents and spinouts had been occurred in northern Jersey by early Saturday afternoon, but no major problems were being reported.
To help travelers, New Jersey Transit was cross-honoring tickets system-wide. However, they also reminded riders that many area rail lines are still operating on modified schedules due to damage from Superstorm Sandy.
As of early Saturday afternoon, the storm was not affecting travel at Newark Liberty International Airport or at Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York City. But since conditions were expected to deteriorate as the day progressed, travelers were being urged to contact their airlines before heading to the airport.
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power.
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power. A spokeswoman for Public Service Electric & Gas says the bird touched a transformer on Clinton Street near Columbus Park Wednesday morning.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
A 16-year-old girl was killed and five other were injured when a massive house fire in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
A 16-year-old girl was killed and five other were injured when a massive house fire in Elizabeth, New Jersey.