More Snow Could Be On The Way Friday

After finally recovering from the recent snowstorm that piled as much as 30 inches of snow in some areas of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, more of the powdery white stuff could be on the way this weekend.

Meteorologist Greg Heavener from the National Weather Service said there is a "decent" possibility of snow on Friday in the Jersey Shore.

Heavener said there is currently a 40 percent chance of snow showers for Friday, and that the snow could spill into the first of half of Saturday.

If it does snow, this storm will probably not have the devastating effect of the last storm, he said.

"It's still a little to early to tell for accumulation, but this doesn't appear to be as potent as the one that walloped Monmouth and Ocean counties last weekend," Heavener said.

Residents of these counties are certainly hoping so, since there are still piles of snow outside more than a week after the blizzard. It took many towns' public works departments two to three days to plow main roads, and even longer along some side streets.

West Long Branch Police Capt. Lawrence Mihlon said there have been meetings at the police department to discuss what "can be done better next time."

"Unfortunately, next time could be this weekend," Mihlon said

He said one of the biggest problems was that people still drove in the storm and were forced to abandon their vehicles after they became stuck in the snow. This caused workers to halt snow removal and help people remove their cars and get to safety.

"The state ended up being snow rescuers, rather than snow cleaners," Mihlon said.

Mihlon said it is important for residents to pay close attention to weather reports, Office of Emergency Management reports and announcements from police and the local governing body during times when there is a severe weather event.

He said that, during events like last weekend's blizzard, it's best for people to stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary.

Mihlon said residents should sign up for Code Red or Nixle alerts, and said people can do so by visiting the West Long Branch Police web site.

"It is a way for us to communicate with people in real time," Capt. Mihlon said.

Check back later this week for an updated forecast, as we get closer to Friday's potential snow.