A significant cold front moved across New Jersey on Friday, leading to extensive power disruptions and prompting a wind advisory statewide.
As of 6:30 a.m. Friday, the state's four major utilities reported more than 14,000 outages, with wind speeds reaching up to 40 mph and gusts potentially approaching 60 mph.
The most intense winds were anticipated between 8 and 11 a.m., creating hazardous conditions during the morning commute.
Utility Outages:
- JCP&L: 12,758 outages
- PSE&G: 940 outages
- Atlantic City Electric: 671 outages
- Rockland: 262 outages
The National Weather Service issued a marginal severe weather risk warning, highlighting damaging wind gusts as the main threat. Recent snowmelt had saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of falling trees and infrastructure damage.
Temperatures were forecast to drop sharply, falling from the 50s and low 60s Friday morning to the upper 30s and low 40s by sunset.
The wind advisory was scheduled to remain in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday.
Residents were urged to prepare for possible power interruptions and secure loose outdoor items during the high wind event.
