New Jersey Travel Ban in Effect as Blizzard-Force Weather and JCPL Outages Spread Across the State

TRENTON, NJ — Monday, February 23, 2026 (ET) — A travel ban NJ and state of emergency NJ remain in effect today as a powerful winter storm continues to slam New Jersey with heavy snow, high winds and dangerous conditions that have NJ weather authorities urging residents to stay off roadways and prepare for extended disruptions. The travel ban NJ today, coupled with widespread power outages through utilities like JCP&L and PSEG, has paralyzed much of the Garden State and prompted emergency measures statewide.

State of Emergency NJ Declared Ahead of Severe Winter Storm

Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency NJ on Sunday as the nor’easter — locally named a historic blizzard — began to strengthen across the region. The declaration activated emergency resources and ordered precautionary measures to protect residents from life-threatening travel and weather conditions.

Under the emergency order, all state offices are closed today, and road travel is strongly discouraged except for essential personnel and emergency activity. The New Jersey Department of Transportation and local law enforcement are enforcing restrictions designed to keep motorists off slippery and snow-packed roads.

Mandatory Travel Ban NJ Takes Effect Overnight

A mandatory travel ban NJ went into effect Sunday night at 9 p.m. and is scheduled to continue into early Monday, with officials extending the restriction to noon in some areas as conditions deteriorate. All non-essential vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county and municipal roadways during the ban — though the New Jersey Turnpike remains exempt. Violators may face penalties under state law.

Officials emphasized that the travel ban is intended to allow plows, emergency crews and utility workers safe access to roads as they perform critical work, including clearing snow, responding to incidents and restoring power.

JCPL Outages Surge as Storm Pressures Power Grid

Worsening NJ weather conditions have triggered significant outages with utility providers throughout the state. According to the latest figures:

• JCP&L customers without power number in the tens of thousands, with disruptions rising as the storm intensifies.

• PSEG reports a smaller but meaningful number of outages, though heavy snow and wind are expected to complicate restoration efforts.

Crews from both utilities are working in hazardous conditions to restore power to affected customers, but officials warn that snow-laden branches and high winds will make repairs slow and challenging. Residents are urged to report outages promptly and to treat downed wires as dangerous.

NJ Weather Brings Blizzard Conditions, Transit Suspensions

Meteorologists have issued blizzard warnings for all 21 counties in the state, with forecasts calling for up to two feet of snow and winds gusting up to 50 mph in some coastal areas. Whiteout conditions and drifting snow have made travel treacherous and reduced visibility on major roadways.

New Jersey Transit suspended all rail service Sunday night, with buses, light rail and Access Link services halted early as the storm struck. Officials say service will remain suspended until weather conditions allow safe operations.

Flight cancellations and delays at regional airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport, are also mounting in response to the extreme winter weather.

Emergency Preparedness and Community Impacts

Local municipalities have activated snow emergency routes and are restricting street parking to facilitate plowing and snow removal. Schools, libraries and municipal offices remain closed, and essential workers have been urged to take necessary precautions before traveling.

Officials continue to stress the importance of staying home and only venturing out for critical needs such as medical care, emergencies or essential work. With the travel ban NJ today and state of emergency NJ in place, New Jersey residents are bracing for another day of winter’s worst impacts.

Residents are encouraged to remain tuned to local alerts from weather services, law enforcement and utility providers like JCP&L and PSEG for the latest updates on conditions, outages and restoration efforts.