Former Nat’l Weather Service meteorologist defends ‘lousy’ forecast

<p>A retired National Weather Service meteorologist says Gov. Phil Murphy is wrong to blame Thursday&rsquo;s snow chaos on a &ldquo;lousy&rdquo; forecast.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 17, 2018, 3:14 AM

Updated 1,985 days ago

Share:

A retired National Weather Service meteorologist says Gov. Phil Murphy is wrong to blame Thursday’s snow chaos on a “lousy” forecast.
Murphy held a news conference Friday to address major traffic delays around the state due to unplowed roadways. New Jersey saw much more snow than originally expected.
Murphy took some of the blame, but also said that he blamed weather forecasters.
"Part of this is the forecasts were lousy and I’m not going to let the forecasters off the hook. Let there be no doubt about it,” Murphy said.
But retired meteorologist Gary Szatkowski said on Twitter that the amount of snow still did not change the fact that road crews were unprepared to deal with the mess.
“Sleet and freezing rain are NOT driver-friendly weather phenomena," Szatkowski tweeted. “So when the NJDOT person says they salted the roads, and planned to clean them up after the forecast 4 inches of snow fell, and their plans were ruined when 8 inches of snow fell, you're being scammed."
Szatkowski continued, "Because what they are saying is that after 4 inches of snow fell, and everyone hit the roads to go home, they were planning to clean up while freezing rain/sleet were pouring down out of the sky. That's not a plan; that's a recipe for disaster.”
Murphy said that that timing of the storm also lead to some of the traffic issues.
“Unfortunately, the worst of the storm coincided with the early dismissals of schools and workplaces. Meaning, when we needed our road crews the most, they were competing with folks,” the governor said.
Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti apologized to New Jersey commuters for the mess. She say that there were 1,800 plows and salters on the roads Thursday.
But many New Jersey drivers reported not seeing any plows. This was because of the gridlock, which prevented the plows and trucks from getting where they needed to be the most.


More from News 12
2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

1:56
Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

Temperatures to plummet overnight; winter-like chills expected Thursday morning

2:04
Multiplex Cinemas in Concourse Plaza set to close next month

Multiplex Cinemas in Concourse Plaza set to close next month

1:47
Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

1:59
NYPD: Fordham shooting kills 34-year-old man, leaves another man critical

NYPD: Fordham shooting kills 34-year-old man, leaves another man critical

1:46
NYCHA resident says boiler issue causing safety and health concerns

NYCHA resident says boiler issue causing safety and health concerns

2:25
Parked car left in shambles; video shows car smash into it multiple times

Parked car left in shambles; video shows car smash into it multiple times

1:42
New community center focuses on supporting former male inmates on road to recovery

New community center focuses on supporting former male inmates on road to recovery

1:35
The Bronx Museum of Arts new exhibit showcases NYC artists from fellowship

The Bronx Museum of Arts new exhibit showcases NYC artists from fellowship

1:14
Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

Police Athletic League hosts annual singing and dancing competition for kids

1:35
New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

New Yankees murals at Bronx Terminal Market pays homage to Black baseball legends

1:04
DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

DOT adds $6 million to boost overnight and evening deliveries over peak hours

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:20
MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

MTA service alerts system now includes bridges, tunnels

0:23
Police: 2 men wanted for robbing Gamestop store at knifepoint in East Tremont

Police: 2 men wanted for robbing Gamestop store at knifepoint in East Tremont

0:24
NYPD: Suspect at large in West Concourse stabbing that left victim in grave condition

NYPD: Suspect at large in West Concourse stabbing that left victim in grave condition

2:07
Two NYPD officers arrested and facing multiple charges of sexual assault

Two NYPD officers arrested and facing multiple charges of sexual assault

1:57
Security heightened at Bronx Home Depot following customer complaints of uncomfortable encounters

Security heightened at Bronx Home Depot following customer complaints of uncomfortable encounters

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

1:53
Bronx bookworms take part in writing workshop for World Book Day

Bronx bookworms take part in writing workshop for World Book Day