❄️ Winter storm live updates: Blizzard warning issued for Princeton area; heavy snow expected through Monday (9:30 p.m. Monday update)
Last updated: Monday, Feb. 23, 9:30 p.m.
We will update this post as new information becomes available. Updates are posted as information is confirmed by officials. Newest updates appear at the top of the live update section. Stay safe, everyone.
9:30 p.m. – Stockton Street and the Great Road have both reopened. In Montgomery, a tree is down in the area of Cherry Valley Road/Rutgers Lane. Avoid the area.
8 p.m. – Princeton University officials said normal campus operations will resume at midnight tonight (12 a.m. Tuesday). Riders should check the TripShot app for TigerTransit updates. The Class of 1986 Fitness Center at Dillon Gym and the Wilkinson Fitness Center will reopen Tuesday morning on their usual schedules. Firestone Library will reopen at 8 a.m., with branch libraries returning to normal hours. The Art Museum will also resume regular hours Tuesday. Residential dining halls, including Procter Hall, remain open as scheduled, and retail dining locations will reopen Tuesday.
5:15 p.m. – Princeton Public Schools are closed Tuesday, as are most other public schools in the region.
4:10 p.m. – Princeton municipal offices will not open until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
4 p.m. – NJ Transit will begin restoring limited light rail service Monday evening as crews continue recovering from the historic snowstorm. The Newark Light Rail and River LINE will resume service during the 4 p.m. hour on Sunday schedules, followed by the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail at 6 p.m., operating on a weekend schedule. All other rail, bus, and Access Link services remain suspended until conditions allow safe operations.
Officials said crews are continuing to clear stations, tracks, and roadways statewide. Speed limits on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are gradually returning to normal, though motorists are urged to use caution. Access Link service is expected to resume Tuesday at 2 p.m., pending conditions, and riders should continue monitoring NJ TRANSIT alerts for updates.
Monday, 3 p.m. – Reminder to expect trash and recycling delays across the region.
Princeton trash and recycling – Trash scheduled for Monday will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday will be collected on Thursday; Thursday will be collected on Friday; Friday will be collected on Saturday. Recycling scheduled for pickup on Monday, Feb. 23 has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28.
In Princeton, trash and recycling scheduled for Monday will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday will be collected on Thursday; Thursday will be collected on Friday; Friday will be collected on Saturday. Recycling scheduled for pickup on Monday, Feb. 23 has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28.
In South Brunswick, trash and recycling pickup will resume on Wednesday. Residents are asked to place all pending and regularly scheduled materials on the roadway and leave them out until they are collected.
Monday, 2 p.m. – Mandatory travel restriction lifted statewide; caution still urged
New Jersey officials have lifted the mandatory travel restriction that began Sunday night and had been extended through noon Monday. While travel is now permitted, state emergency management officials are urging residents to continue avoiding unnecessary trips as hazardous conditions remain in some areas. Some roads are still snow-covered, visibility may be limited, and crews are continuing snow removal operations. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time, reduce speeds, and keep emergency supplies in their vehicles if travel is necessary.
Local police report that conditions are still bad on area roads. Main roads and many secondary roads are being plowed but conditions are still bad. Stay home if you can.
NJ Transit service is still suspended statewide today. NJ Transit plans to resume service Tuesday when conditions allow a safe return to operations.
If you need a warming center because you lose power, call NJ 2-1-1 or go to your local police department lobby.
Heads up – Do not park on public streets. Plows still need to get through. Don’t shovel snow into streets. Make sure to shovel around fire hydrants. Where will all this snow being plowed be deposited? Good question! Also make sure you shovel your sidewalks ASAP so you don’t get a fine from your town. Some towns will fine you up to $1,000.
Monday, noon – Stockton Street (Route 206) is closed between Lovers Lane and Hutchinson Road due to downed wires. Please avoid the area. Better yet, stay home!
1:10 a.m. Canal Road in Franklin Township between Butler Rd and Bunker Hill Rd is closed due to down trees. Stay off the roads and avoid this area. This roadway will not be opened overnight. (There is a mandatory overnight driving ban in the state, but there are some exemptions, so we are still posting road closures.
1 a.m. Monday – Princeton University announces Monday weather closures and remote classes. Princeton University will be closed to non-essential personnel on Monday, Feb. 23, because of winter weather. Classes scheduled before noon will not meet in person. Instructors may hold classes remotely or reschedule, and an update on afternoon classes is expected by 11 a.m. Monday. Only employees in essential service roles should report to campus. Those working on site are asked to park in the Prospect Avenue, Theater Drive, or Stadium Drive garages and avoid parking on top levels. Additional impacts include:
- TigerTransit updates available through the TripShot app
- Recreational facilities closed
- University libraries, including Firestone Library, closed
- Princeton University Art Museum closed
- Residential college dining remains open, but retail dining locations are closed
University officials said another operational update will be issued by 11 a.m. Monday.
Sunday, 7 p.m. This blizzard has been named “Winter Storm Hernando.” Area police say road and bridge conditions are terrible. Stay home if you can. It is not safe to drive. Public schools, libraries and municipal offices are closed Monday. Events are cancelled. It’s a good day to catch up with people via Zoom.
As of 7 p.m. on Sunday, 4,979 JCP&L customers in the region are without power, and only 22 PSE&G customers in the area are without power. JCP&L customers almost always seem to fare worse in these weather events.
The storm is potentially the worst snowstorm in New Jersey in a decade. It will bring heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions to Princeton and surrounding Mercer County communities. The snow will fall the hardest between midnight and 6 a.m. on Monday. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly issued a blizzard warning for the region, with forecasters calling for 13 to 21 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour.
Conditions in Princeton were rainy but manageable early Sunday afternoon, but turned to snow just before 2 p.m. Forecasters say travel could deteriorate quickly later in the day as rain transitions to snow. The most intense part of the storm is expected overnight into early Monday, when snowfall rates could exceed two inches per hour and visibility may drop significantly at times.
🔄 Live Updates
| 6:50 p.m. Princeton trash and recycling – Trash scheduled for Monday will be collected on Tuesday; Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday; Wednesday will be collected on Thursday; Thursday will be collected on Friday; Friday will be collected on Saturday. Recycling scheduled for pickup on Monday, Feb. 23 has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28. |
5:30 p.m. NJ Transit to suspend all rail service by 9 p.m.
NJ Transit announced it will suspend all rail service statewide by 9 p.m. Sunday due to worsening winter weather conditions. Some trains will stop running earlier, and no new trips will begin after 9 p.m. Bus, light rail, and Access Link services were already scheduled to be suspended at 6 p.m. Sunday. Transit officials will assess conditions overnight and determine when service can safely resume. Riders are encouraged to monitor njtransit.com, the NJ Transit app, or service alerts for updates on Monday operations.
5:15 p.m. Mandatory overnight travel restriction issued statewide
New Jersey officials have announced a mandatory travel restriction beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday and lasting until 7 a.m. Monday as blizzard conditions move across the state. During that time, non-essential travel is prohibited on state, county, municipal, and interstate roads to allow emergency crews and plows to operate safely. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from the restriction. The order follows Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s statewide emergency declaration and is intended to reduce accidents and help crews clear roads and respond to outages more quickly. Exemptions include emergency responders, healthcare workers, utility and public works crews, public transportation personnel, news media, snow removal contractors, and travel related to critical infrastructure, medical care, or essential services such as food, fuel, and pharmacies. Officials warn that violators may face penalties under state law.
4:05 p.m – Princeton University is closing for non-essential personnel – Princeton University announced it will close for non-essential personnel beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday because of the approaching winter storm. Residence halls and residential dining facilities will remain open. Only employees in essential service roles should report for scheduled shifts. University officials also announced that:
- TigerTransit service updates will be posted in the TripShot app
- Athletics facilities will be closed
- The Princeton University Art Museum will be closed
- Firestone Library and branch libraries will be closed
- Dining hours may change; updates will be posted by Campus Dining
Employees reporting to campus are asked to park in the Prospect Avenue, Theater Drive, or Stadium Drive garages and avoid parking on top levels. The university said an additional update on operations is expected by 9 p.m. Sunday.
| 4 p.m. – Franklin Township is the first area town todeclare a state of emergency. This declaration gives the Police Department the authorization to carry out the following: Enforce no parking and tow vehicles on all municipally owned streets or highways. The Office of Emergency Management, Police Department, Department of Public Works, and other emergency responders are authorized to use off-road vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles to carry out emergency tasks and to close roads and establish detours. |
2:35 p.m. – Recycling scheduled for pickup on Monday, Feb. 23 has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28.
2:30 p.m. — Speed limits reduced statewide on major highways
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has temporarily lowered speed limits to 35 miles per hour on major highways statewide beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday as the winter storm approaches.
The emergency order applies to:
- All Interstate highways in New Jersey
- All U.S. and State highways
- The New Jersey Turnpike
- The Garden State Parkway
- The Atlantic City Expressway
Transportation officials say the reduced speed limits are intended to improve safety as snow and strong winds move into the region. Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and avoid unnecessary travel.
2 p.m. — Blizzard warning in effect for Mercer County
The National Weather Service says a major winter storm is expected to intensify later today, with rain changing to snow this afternoon and the heaviest snowfall arriving overnight.
Statewide emergency declared
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm and is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel Sunday night and Monday.
NJ Transit planning service suspensions
NJ Transit officials say bus, light rail, and Access Link service will be suspended starting at 6 p.m. Sunday as conditions worsen. Rail service adjustments are expected later and will be announced as conditions evolve.
New Jersey Department of Transportation restrictions
(NJDOT) Acting Commissioner Priya Jain has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 3 p.m. Sunday.
What Princeton residents should expect
Travel conditions are expected to worsen Sunday evening and remain hazardous through much of Monday. Blowing and drifting snow may make some roads difficult to navigate, especially on smaller residential streets, until plows can reach them.
Strong winds combined with heavy snow could bring down tree branches and power lines, raising the possibility of scattered power outages across the region.
Residents should complete errands and preparations now and return home before conditions deteriorate.
🚗 Travel, roads and safety
Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel so plow crews can work safely.
Drivers who must travel are advised to:
- Slow down and allow extra stopping distance
- Stay well behind plows and spreading trucks
- Avoid passing snow-removal vehicles
- Carry an emergency kit with blankets, water, snacks, and a phone charger
Road conditions are available by dialing 511.
⚠️ Stay away from downed wires and call 911 to report hazardous conditions.
‼️ Plows will need to clear streets, so do not park on public roads. Your car could be ticketed and towed. If you are in Trenton and need a place to park, the Lafayette Garage at Lafayette Street & South Warren Street is available.
| ⛄️ Sidewalk & Path Clearing Property owners must clear sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Residential property owners should clear at least 4 feet of sidewalk width. Businesses should clear from the business entry to the curb. If ice cannot be removed, treat with sand, cat litter, or a similar material. Do not push or pile snow into the roadway when clearing driveways 🚒 Clear ice around fire hydrants. Clear 3 feet around the hydrant in all directions and make sure there is a clear path from the street to the hydrant. Clear to the ground (not just the top visible) |
🚆 NJ Transit service changes
NJ Transit officials say crews will continue operating equipment overnight without passengers to keep tracks and overhead wires clear of snow and ice. Service updates will be posted through NJ Transit alerts and its mobile app.
⏱️ How long will the storm last?
Snow is expected to taper off gradually during the day on Monday, though strong winds and blowing snow could continue creating hazardous conditions into the evening.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for possible power outages and monitor local announcements for schedule changes or closures.
⚡ If you lose power: who to contact
Residents who experience power outages should report them directly to their electric utility provider rather than calling local police unless there is an immediate emergency.
PSE&G (serves Princeton and much of Mercer County)
- 📞 Report an outage: 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
- 💻 Online outage reporting and updates: pseg.com/outage
- 📱 Outages can also be reported through the PSE&G mobile app or text alerts for enrolled customers.
JCP&L (serves some neighboring towns in the region)
- 📞 Report an outage: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
- 💻 Online outage reporting and outage map: firstenergycorp.com/outages
- 📱 Customers can also report outages by texting OUT to 544487.
Residents should stay far away from any downed wires and assume they are live. Downed power lines or dangerous conditions should be reported immediately by calling 911.
When to call 911 vs. the utility
Call 911 if:
- A power line is down
- You see sparks, fire, or smoke
- A tree has fallen onto electrical wires
- There is an immediate safety hazard
Otherwise, report outages directly to your utility company so crews can prioritize restoration.
Have photos, local conditions, or another news tip to share? Email tips@planetprinceton.com.
