'Code Blue Alert' Issued As Winter Storm Looms In Wayne, North Jersey

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne Township and communities around North Jersey are preparing for a winter storm that could bring up to 8 inches of snow to parts of the state this weekend, and wind chill values in the teens to end the week.

Passaic County officials have also issued a "Code Blue Alert" and several communities have activated warming centers, as temperatures and wind chill values could pose a danger to those without proper shelter. On Thursday night and into Friday, wind chill values could be between 15 and 20.

That's before the weekend, when AccuWeather meteorologists are saying the cross-country winter storm "will deliver the first big snowfall along the Interstate 95 corridor in nearly two years. The National Weather Service is calling for up to 8 inches of snow in the region as the storm moves through, beginning Saturday.

"An offshore low is expected to produce snow, possibly mixed with rain at times, Saturday night into Sunday," NWS forecasters said. "The potential exists for 4 to 8 inches of snow."

As of New Year's Day, it has been 683 days since the New York City area received at least 1 inch of snowfall — which was on Feb. 16, 2022.

The Code Blue Alert is in effect at the following times from Thursday evening, Jan. 4 through Tuesday morning, Jan. 9:

Thursday beginning at 6 p.m., overnight, until Friday at noon

Friday beginning at 6 p.m., overnight, until Saturday at 11 a.m.

Saturday beginning at 9 p.m., overnight, until Sunday at 9 a.m.

Sunday beginning at 5 p.m., overnight, until Monday at 9 a.m.

Monday beginning at 7 p.m., overnight, until Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Anyone in need of a warming center may go directly to one of the warming centers listed below. Click here for more info.

Passaic County Warming Centers:

• Clifton: 1232 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07011: please call ahead to check availability 201-739-1475.
• Passaic: Dignity House, 276 Broadway, Passaic, NJ 07055: 973-365-3900
• Paterson: 60 Temple, Paterson, NJ 07501: 973-321-1574

Here is an extended forecast through Sunday for Wayne Township, from the NWS:

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a temperature falling to around 37 by 5pm. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 22. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Snow. Low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.