News 12 School Closings: Nor'easter and Montclair Blizzard Disrupt New Jersey

A nor'easter that dumped around 20 inches of snow in Mount Holly and a separate blizzard that left Montclair nearly 20 inches have combined to disrupt schools, travel and utilities across New Jersey. The disruptions have prompted local closures highlighted in news 12 school closings notices, and officials say crews are working to restore power and clear roads.

Montclair school and schedule changes

Montclair Public Schools and municipal offices will remain closed Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The district announced that the closure means Monday, March 30, 2026, will now be a regular school day to meet the required number of instructional days for the school year. Municipal operations in Montclair have shifted as cleanup continues: no-street-parking orders were extended through 8 a. m. Wednesday, garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Tuesday was canceled with no makeup dates yet planned, and municipal offices will open on a delayed schedule at 10 a. m.

News 12 School Closings Update

Local officials are urging residents to avoid travel where possible and to follow guidance from township authorities. Transit service remained suspended into Monday afternoon for trains, buses and paratransit services, and plow crews and public safety teams are still working to clear thoroughfares and remove hazards. The article-level listings of school closings are reflecting the ongoing operational impacts across affected towns.

Mount Holly, Burlington County impact

The nor'easter left around 20 inches of snow in Mount Holly and returned heavy, wet snow across parts of Burlington County, forcing residents to dig out and creating hazardous travel. At the storm's peak, about 70 trucks were on county roads clearing snow. Heavy, wet accumulations increased the frequency of fallen limbs and damaged power lines; as of Monday afternoon roughly 12, 000 customers in Burlington County remained without power.

Power outages and restoration timeline

State crews have restored service to over 250, 000 people but acknowledged significant work remains. Officials expressed a goal of restoring remaining customers within the next 24–48 hours. High winds during and after the storms brought down branches and power lines, producing thousands of outages across the state and prompting some towns to open temporary shelters for residents without power and heat for extended periods.

Roads, travel bans and safety guidance

Road conditions were challenging early in the day, and a statewide travel ban expired at 12 p. m. Monday ET. In a related action, mandatory nighttime travel restrictions that began at 9: 00 p. m. Sunday were lifted by state officials on Monday afternoon, though authorities continued to urge residents to stay off the roads while crews work. Local leaders warned that plowing operations may require multiple passes and advised residents not to clear the ends of driveways until crews finish to avoid creating hazards for plow operators.

Practical advice and immediate needs

Officials recommended residents take care when shoveling heavy, wet snow and suggested smaller, more frequent shoveling to reduce strain and injury risk. Some towns opened shelters for residents without heat or power; those in need were told to contact local police departments for information about available shelter locations. In Montclair, township guidance also encouraged leaving a small "snow pocket" to the left of driveways to give plows space to discharge snow before reaching the driveway entrance.

• Key takeaways: significant accumulations (~20 inches in Mount Holly, nearly 20 inches in Montclair), extended local closures, thousands still without power, restoration efforts ongoing.

recovery operations are focused on restoring utilities and clearing major roads first, with local crews balancing plowing and utility work where trees and downed lines create additional complications. The near-term outlook will depend on crew progress over the next 24–48 hours and on continued caution from residents while cleanup and repairs proceed.