Manalapan Prepares For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, How To Prepare

MANALAPAN, NJ — Manalapan residents are urged to prepare for a major winter storm that could bring over a foot of snow, icy roads and dangerously cold temperatures to the Garden State over the weekend.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to impact the region from Saturday night through Monday morning.

In the Long Branch and greater Monmouth County area, forecasters are currently predicting around 12-18” of total snowfall.

On Friday afternoon, Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a State of Emergency in all 21 counties ahead of the storm, warning residents that this "is not an average storm."

• Read: Snow Total Projections Shift As Weekend Storm Arrives In NJ

Monmouth County is also under a Winter Storm Warning from Saturday night through Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

“Heavy snow and some ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible,” the National Weather Service said in its Friday afternoon briefing. “Expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates and highways.”

Alongside heavy snow and ice accumulation, forecasters are also warning that a combination of heavy snow, followed by sleet/freezing rain and breezy northeast winds, could result in some isolated instances of downed trees and power lines as well as power outages.

To see the National Weather Service’s full winter storm briefing from Friday afternoon, you can click here.

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service's forecast for Manalapan is:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -5. Northwest wind 5-10 MPH.
• Saturday Night: Snow after 1 a.m. Low around 13. North wind 5-10 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1-2 inches possible.
• Sunday: Snow before 4 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 27. Northeast wind 10-15 MPH, with gusts as high as 25 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 9-13 inches possible.
• Sunday Night: Snow and freezing rain, becoming all snow after 4 a.m. Low around 25. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
• Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 6.

Ahead of the storm, Manalapan officials are advising residents to sign up for the town’s email blasts to stay up to date with storm information (you can sign up here under “Sign up for Manalapan Township Email Alerts”)

According to township officials, garbage will NOT be collected on Monday, and those with Monday collection will have their garbage picked up on Thursday.

“Please do not place any garbage or bulk items at the curb for pick up, as they will not be collected and can get in the way of the snow plow,” the town said in an online post.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Senior Center will also be closed for all activities due to the anticipated inclement weather. There will be no yoga, mah-jong, zumba gold, tai chi, or watercolor classes.

The township will be emailing alerts and posting updates to their Facebook page as the storm progresses, officials said.

Manalapan Police are also reminding residents that vehicles must be removed from the roadways to allow for plowing. Vehicles not removed may be towed and/or ticketed.

“We appreciate your anticipated cooperation,” police said.

For those without shelter, a “Code Blue” alert has been extended in Monmouth County until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

• Read: ‘Code Blue’ Alert Extended In Monmouth County: Where To Find Shelter

“Code Blue” is put in place when temperatures drop below freezing (32 F), and conditions pose a threat to unsheltered individuals.

If you or someone you know does not have shelter in Monmouth County, they can go to:

• Monmouth County Division of Social Services
• Hope and Comfort Center
• Mercy Center
• The Feast NJ, Women’s Heart Warming Center
• Trinity Episcopal Church
• Lunch Break Inc.
• Monmouth County Library – Manalapan
• Monmouth County Library – Shrewsbury

You can also get help by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the NJ211 website.