SOMA Meteorologist: Batten Down the Hatches!

Winter Storm Nemo is heading to our area. SOMA should start to feel the effects as early as Friday afternoon, and some weather models are predicting as much as a foot in our area. The snow will begin Friday during the day, but heavier, blizzard-like conditions are expected Friday night into Saturday.

Locals are preparing. A South Orange resident reports that Trader Joe's in Millburn was packed on Thursday morning. Home Depot in Vauxhall was doing a brisk business in snow shovels, blowers and salt, but were well stocked with all snow-related gear and equipment as of Thursday afternoon.

New Jersey Transit announced Thursday it will offer full system wide cross-honoring for train, bus and light rail on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. NJT is also encouraging passengers to travel early on Friday.

PSE&G is warning customers that heavy snow, icing and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and power outages and that response times for both electric and gas emergency services may be longer than usual. To report downed wires or power outages, call the customer service line at 1-800-436-7734 (1-800-436-PSEG).

Some folks aren't letting Nemo mess up their plans. Rent Party's Chris Dickson posted on Facebook Thursday afternoon that Friday night's concert starring Willie Nile is going on as planned.

However, Maplewood Village's 5th Annual Chocolate Walk has been postponed from Saturday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 10. 

The NJ State Robotics Tournament scheduled for Saturday, which CHS students were participating in, has been cancelled.

There is no word yet on the Maplewood Middle School play, which is scheduled to run this weekend.

Maplewood and South Orange, what are you doing -- if anything -- to prepare for Nemo? Let us know in comments.