By: centraljersey.com
Hillsborough was hit yet again with snow on Wednesday morning. It wasn’t that bad of a storm – it just wasn’t in the forecast.
"I’d say we had roughly 4 inches (in Hillsborough), maybe 5," said David Robinson, the official state climatologist, in a phone conversation at 1:30 p.m. "We’re at about 37 inches for the season at midday (Wednesday), and we’re expecting more tonight.
"Central New Jersey got hit the hardest this morning. It was not predicted, and was probably the worst slip of the season for the weather service," he said. "There was expected to be a little light snow this morning turning to rain this afternoon and then some heavy snow this evening and overnight. What was unexpected was how much moisture came with that first shot … when little or no accumulation expected.
"The forecast for the Hillsborough area has been quite good this season, with the exception of this morning," he said.
Township Department of Public Works trucks started salting the roads at about 7 a.m. and used up about 280 tons of salt by 2:45 p.m. The trucks started plowing at 10 a.m., according to the township administrator’s office.
"The whole department is working on it," said a spokesperson from the administrator’s office. "Everybody who is over there (DPW) is being used towards the snow right now. They always do a great job. So far we haven’t had any hold-ups yet, so that would lead me to believe that we can handle this one as well."
Township police reported 17 minor accidents as of 11:30 a.m.
On Tuesday night, the Township Committee reminded residents that, if recycling items hadn’t been picked up on a storm day, to leave the cans at the curb and trucks should be around the next day. Wednesday morning’s "run-of-the-mill storm" didn’t do much damage by itself, but coupled with the amount of snow the township has been hit with over the past month it wasn’t pretty.
"In the last 32 days we’ve had 36 inches of snow. That’s pretty unusual," Mr. Robinson said. "Of course, if I was to tell you the last time it happened, it was only last February. A normal snowfall in Hillsborough for the entire winter season is generally about 28 inches, and we surpassed that since Christmas.
"We’ve had an awful lot of snow in the last month, more than a season’s worth, and we’re just going to add to that tonight. We’re talking maybe another 6 to 9 inches."

