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The icicles seem to be melting, so maybe there’s a chance that we’ll get through this winter without all the gutters in Baristaville exploding. Also, it seems like next summer, we might be able to freely water our gardens. But maybe I’m just a cockeyed optimist.
Today’s temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees, and the freezingrainsleetmisery is expected to stop by noon, so there should be good meltage later, and time to shovel away the muck.
And, if you remember back to the concerns about reservoir levels last summer, when the NJ Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch, for weeks, it might shed a posititve light on what I’ve started calling “the winter or our discontent.” Now, according to the NJDEP, the reservoir levels have been “near or above normal levels” for 15 weeks running in the northeast part of the state.
On less of a Pollyanna note, there are around 15,000 PSE&G customers without power due to icing on the utility’s equipment and on trees, but according to the company’s spokesperson, only a few are in Essex County.
While most schools in Baristaville declared a delayed opening last night, many changed the status to “closed,” leaving many parents in the lurch. Although like the last storm, perhaps many are again working from home. Check BaristaKids for a full listing and updates.
NJ Transit had earlier suspended all bus service, but it was restored (with anticipated delays and detours) as of 9:11 a.m. Midtown direct rail service on both Baristaville lines seems to be a bit on again and off again, with detours through Hoboken, delays, suspensions and slow speeds, according to the voluminous influx of passenger information on Clever Commute (which you can find on Baristanet’s home page). At 10:51 a.m., a commenter posted:
“[NJTT-MandE] No eastbound trains have come through South Orange in an hour. Only announcement is that they are cross-honoring tix on buses. But there are no buses either.”
Another commenter on Clever Commute earlier wrote: “Decamp running fine. Left watchung at 8:35. At meadowlands by about 8:55. Bus empty (sent Wed 02/02/11 @ 8:52 am).”
Montclair Township advises:
Road conditions are extremely hazardous and motorists are advised to remain off the roads. Many accidents have been reported throughout the area and heavy icing conditions have not improved enough to allow for effective de-icing activities. Please stay off the roads until conditions improve.
Additionally, Maplewood resident Leah Gordon Gomberg’s recent Facebook post reminds us of another potential hazard, falling branches and tree limbs.
While outside trying to clear some ice (unsuccessfully) I watched two limbs from two different trees fall. I am now inside. Melt…melt…
She did manage to take this beautiful photo (above) of her ice covered holly bush before she sought the dry warmth of her home again.
Hope you’re all where you need to be and enjoying a nice hot cup of something. Tomorrow will be sunny, but there I go with my optimism again…
Erika….
Any chance of putting a weather link under your “useful links” or in your header? Wouldn’t mind opening B’net in the a.m. and going right to the weather, especially this winter.
Since “Cockeyed Optimist” is a song sung by a character named Nellie in South Pacific, I would be hard-pressed to disagree.
I hate to be a wet blanket, but it’s supposed to drop to 20 degrees tonight from a high of 40 expected today. So, this wet winter wonderland is going to turn into a veritable skating rink of bullet proof (metaphor) solid ice. I’d say get your errands done today.
deadeye, you are a cockeyed realist.
And proud to be one!
So the town asks us to stay off the roads, but doesn’t close the schools, leaving many of us no alternative but to be ON the roads getting our kids to and from school. And where are the plows and the salt sprayers? Montclair has been great with recent storms, but dropped the ball on this one.
Finally, some very good news!The end is in sight!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41384041?GT1=43001