NJ Transit announced a temporary shutdown of most services Saturday afternoon, and the University announced that it will close to non-essential personnel on Sunday in response to forecasts of heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions throughout Sunday.
NJ Transit bus, light rail, and Access Link services will be suspended starting at 4 a.m. on Sunday. Rail services will run on a regular weekend schedule only until 2 p.m., after which all trains will stop for the remainder of the day. Riders are being advised to plan trips that reach their destination before that cutoff time.
NJ Transit’s service suspensions notably affect commuter rail lines, including trains running along the Northeast Corridor and the Princeton Branch, known colloquially as the “Dinky,” which connects campus to Princeton Junction station. Specific departure and arrival times for Princeton Junction station can be found using the NJ Transit website.
Forecasters estimate about a foot of snowfall in Princeton from 7 p.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Sunday through Monday, expecting “hazardous weather conditions,” including heavy snowfall, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures.
NJ.com reported that the ice accumulation is expected to range from one-tenth to a quarter of an inch in thickness — enough to impact power lines.
Some local businesses, like Small World and Illy Coffee, will be closed on Sunday.
At a press conference on Friday, N.J. Governor Mikie Sherrill advised New Jerseyans to avoid travel on Sunday, if possible. "I want to make this really clear, this is not an average winter storm. This is a storm the likes of which we haven't seen in probably about a decade," Sherrill said, declaring a state of emergency for the state.
The storm has also caused widespread disruptions to air travel. Major airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without penalty as crews prepare for heavy snow, ice, and strong winds.
Flights in and out of hubs such as Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport have been particularly affected. Thousands of cancellations have been reported so far for travel on Sunday and Monday.
In a TigerAlert message to members of the University community Saturday evening, the University provided an update on what services will and will not be available on Sunday.
Dormitories and residential dining facilities will remain open, with the residential dining halls following their regular hours of operation, according to the Campus Dining website.
Other University facilities will close, including athletic facilities, the Princeton University Art Museum, and all Princeton University libraries. TigerTransit service will be suspended. An email from Campus Rec on Saturday evening added that The Class of 1986 Fitness & Wellness Center, Dillon Gym, and the Wilkinson Fitness Center will also be closed on Sunday.
A U-Store employee said that the store’s hours of operation on Sunday would be decided that morning.
The message also explained that the University will close for “non-essential personnel” at 9 a.m. on Sunday, meaning that only employees who are “necessary and required to maintain basic University operations” will be required to come in to work.
The TigerAlert recommended that community members follow the University Emergency Management team’s Winter Weather and Extreme Cold safety recommendations.
The Princeton Police Department announced Saturday afternoon that the Princeton municipality will have a “Warming Center” in the Community Room at the Witherspoon Hall Municipal Building on Sunday, where residents can charge their electronic devices and take relief from the weather. The center will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Further updates on University operations will be provided through TigerAlert. The University will provide an update on Monday operations no later than 6 a.m. Monday morning.
The Daily Princetonian will provide further updates on University operations as more information becomes available.
Nico David-Fox is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Washington, D.C., and often covers academics and the Undergraduate Student Government. He can be reached at nd0968[at]princeton.edu or news[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Luke Grippo is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey and typically covers high-profile interviews and University and town politics. He can be reached at lg5452[at]princeton.edu or news[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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Luke Grippo and Nico David-FoxWinter Storm Fern is slated to bring about a foot of snow to Princeton from early Sunday morning to Monday afternoon. In anticipation of widespread travel disruptions, the University allowed students to return to their dorms as of Thursday, with the semester beginning on Monday.
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