UPDATE – 2130 Hours
Winter Storm Update, Paterson and Wayne
Current Conditions
- Estimated snowfall totals: 12 to 14 inches across Paterson and Wayne.
- Precipitation transitioned from snow to sleet this evening.
Forecast
- NWS indicates sleet likely transitions back to snow overnight.
- Additional snowfall potential: 3 to 4 inches through noon Monday, January 26, 2026.
Operational Impact
Hazardous travel conditions expected to persist overnight into Monday.
Child Care Center will be CLOSED on Monday 1/26 and will be operating on a Delayed Opening on 1/27 (10am).
Parking Reopening, Monday Morning
Paterson Campus
- All parking areas will be re-opened.
- Staff should park in their respective assigned parking areas.
Wayne Campus
- All parking areas will be re-opened.
- Staff should park in their respective assigned parking areas.
Reminder
- Follow direction from Security and Facilities as lots reopen.
- Monitor SJHAlert for any updates or changes based on conditions.
Staff requiring overnight sleeping accommodations to remain onsite during the storm must contact their campus Nursing Staffing Office to be assigned a bed. All accommodations are coordinated exclusively through Nursing Staffing. Do not self-assign rooms or cots, Cots are NOT to be removed or placed in private offices, or any unapproved location.
Staffing Office Contacts:
• Paterson: 973-754-3085
• Wayne: 973-956-3667
Meals:
• Boxed meals available for staff staying overnight at Paterson and Wayne.
• Hot meals served Sunday (lunch & dinner) at both campuses.
• Breakfast available Monday morning.
Transportation Assistance:
All
Staff Transportation Ride Requests, Routing and Approval Process
Update
Effective immediately, all staff transportation ride requests must be routed to Security, not the Command Center.
Process, Per Policy
Supervisor, Manager, or Director submits to the Staffing Office a list of staff members who qualify as Critical Staffing.
Staffing Office validates the list and forwards approved Critical Staffing names to Security for transportation support and coordination.
Key Reminder
Do not direct individual staff members to contact the Command Center for ride requests.
The Command Center does not determine Critical vs Non-Critical status and cannot approve ride eligibility.
Thank you for your continued commitment and flexibility during Winter Storm Fern.
A high-impact winter storm is forecast to impact the region beginning early Sunday morning (approximately 5:00–8:00 AM) and continuing through midday Monday. Snow is expected to rapidly accumulate due to very cold temperatures, with heavy snowfall developing by late morning Sunday and peaking through the afternoon (approximately 10:00 AM–6:00 PM).
During the height of the storm, snowfall rates may reach 1 inch per hour for several consecutive hours, with brief periods approaching 2 inches per hour, resulting in quickly deteriorating travel conditions. Current projections indicate storm total accumulations of 9–13 inches, with a reasonable possibility of locally higher totals. As precipitation tapers Sunday evening, snow may mix with sleet and pockets of freezing rain, leading to icy surfaces, particularly overnight.
Strong cold air before, during, and after the storm will limit melting and allow snow and ice to persist well beyond the end of precipitation. Wind chills are expected to remain in the single digits to below zero, and increasing winds late Sunday into Monday may cause blowing and drifting snow. Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous, especially Sunday midday through Sunday night.
Parking Advisory
Due to anticipated heavy snowfall and the need for continuous plowing and salting operations, the following parking lots need to remain clear.
Paterson: O Lot, 400 Lot, and ED Parking Lot are closed. All staff are asked to park in the Parking Garage.
Wayne: Administration/Physician Parking is closed. Please use designated employee parking only.
Please do not park in closed lots. Vehicles may be plowed in or damaged.
Please continue to monitor SJHAlert for updates as conditions evolve.