By Anne Levin
The snow, ice, and sleet that blanketed the region this past Sunday and Monday went relatively easy on Princeton, where a foot of snow was predicted and approximately 9 inches was recorded. While the impact caused multiple closings and disruptions, no weather-related vehicle accidents were reported.
But as anyone who keeps up with weather predictions knows by now, a second storm could affect the region this coming weekend — or not. As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting that a storm may develop off the Southeast coast on Saturday, January 31, moving into the mid-Atlantic on Sunday. It could be locally significant, or it could be confined to areas near the coast. At press time, it was too early to tell.
While the Princeton Police Department received some calls for assistance during the recent storm from a few disabled vehicles stuck in the snow, it was mostly quiet.
“That’s because everybody was pretty prepared,” said Lt. Daniel Federico. “And it was the weekend. There was more than enough time for everybody to get ready, and most people just stayed home.”
Should a second storm develop, Federico reminds residents that sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours. Motorists should stay off the road so that the Department of Public Works can clear the streets, he added.
While Princeton was at the lower end of the snow totals count, some 17 inches was recorded in Sussex County. But like the entire region, the local area has continued to experience dangerously frigid temperatures — officially a Code Blue — with wind chills making it seem even colder. Through the rest of this week, the temperature is predicted to go as low as between 3 and 7 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Three warming centers have been identified for those needing to stay safe and warm this week. Monument Hall’s main meeting room, 1 Monument Drive, will be open through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, lists warming center hours as 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday, and until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the hours are 12 to 5 p.m. The Center for Modern Aging Princeton at 45 Stockton Street is a warming center through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The municipality was closed on Monday, and that evening’s Princeton Council meeting was postponed to Tuesday (January 27). Municipal Court was canceled on Monday, with cases moved to Monday, February 2. NJ Transit closed down on Sunday, and operated on a Severe Weather-Level 2 schedule on Monday. By Wednesday, regular weekday train service was to resume.
Classes at Princeton University were held “at the discretion of the instructor” on Monday, according to a campus-wide announcement. The University was closed for non-essential personnel. Normal operations resumed Monday at 5 p.m., and the Princeton University Art Museum reopened Tuesday. On Tiger Transit, there were multiple delays on Tuesday on different routes, blamed on traffic. Princeton Public Schools were closed on Monday and opened 90 minutes late on Tuesday.
In town, the Princeton Loop’s local and express bus routes were out of service on Monday, and resumed on Tuesday. Recycling pickup that was scheduled for Monday was rescheduled to Saturday, January 31 (visit mcianj.org for updates).
Among the businesses that opened on Monday was Small World Coffee, which began serving at 8 instead of 6:30 a.m. The coffee shop posted on Instagram Sunday, asking patrons: “Make it worth our while to open and, if you’re able and you can safely travel, help us and other small independent businesses by supporting us during January — an already tough month for the service industry.”
Visit princetonnj.gov/weather for updates.