Blizzard Aftermath
Schools Closed, Transit Changes and Service Disruptions Across Central Jersey on Tuesday
A Rahway Department of Public Works truck pushes through heavy snow during overnight plowing operations. (The Central Jerseyan)
Chris Howell | February 23, 2026
Lingering snow and ice continue to disrupt transit, garbage collection, and municipal operations one day after a powerful blizzard blanketed Central Jersey with up to 20 inches of snow in some communities.
Although snowfall has ended and blizzard warnings have been lifted, officials say cleanup remains in full swing. Downed trees and wires, icy secondary roads, and concerns about black ice are complicating the return to normal operations across Middlesex, Union, and neighboring counties.
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Schools Closures
Several districts will remain closed on Tuesday as municipalities continue clearing roadways and sidewalks.
Closed Tuesday:
- Edison Township Public Schools
- Highland Park Public Schools
- Linden Public Schools
- Metuchen Public Schools
- Rahway Public Schools
- Woodbridge Township Public Schools
In Linden, City Hall and non-essential services will operate on a two-hour delayed opening.
NJ TRANSIT: Modified Rail Service
NJ TRANSIT bus service, light rail and Access Link will operate on a regular weekday schedule Tuesday.
Rail service will run on a holiday schedule with significant exceptions affecting Central Jersey commuters.
On the Northeast Corridor, trains will operate between Trenton and Metropark, then run express to Newark Penn Station, skipping local stops between Metropark and Newark. Midtown Direct service will operate to Hoboken rather than New York Penn Station.
The Atlantic City Rail Line will run on a regular weekday schedule.
There will be no service on the North Jersey Coast Line or the Raritan Valley Line.
Amtrak crews are working overnight to clear snow from critical switches along the Northeast Corridor.
Vehicles were buried along a residential street in Edison following overnight snowfall from the February 2026 storm. (Robin Kleber/Facebook)
Municipal Operations: Cleanup Continues
Municipal services remain staggered as public works crews prioritize snow removal.
In Edison, garbage and recycling pickup are canceled Tuesday. Recycling will instead take place Wednesday.
In Rahway, trash collection is canceled Tuesday.
In Woodbridge, garbage collection resumes Tuesday and will continue this week as if Monday were a holiday. Public Libraries, Senior Centers and Youth Centers remain closed Tuesday, while the Woodbridge Community Center and The Club at Woodbridge will reopen during normal hours.
Mayor John E. McCormac said Department of Public Works crews continue working around the clock. Once snowfall fully stops, he said, it may take approximately 12 additional hours to complete removal from a storm of this magnitude.
Residents on Snow Emergency Streets must keep vehicles off roadways. Officials also reminded residents not to shovel snow into streets and to clear fire hydrants if safely able.
In Highland Park, borough offices will open at 10 a.m. Monday’s garbage has been rescheduled to Wednesday, and Tuesday’s recycling is canceled to allow crews to continue snow removal. Sidewalks in residential areas must be cleared within 12 daylight hours of the last snowfall, with commercial properties subject to shorter timelines.
In Metuchen, Monday garbage moved to Tuesday, and Tuesday pickup shifts to Wednesday. The Borough Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday has been rescheduled to Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Jonathan Busch said residents have until approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday before enforcement reminders begin for uncleared sidewalks.
Linden officials estimated approximately 17 inches of snow from the storm and said public works crews will continue clearing roadways for several days. Alternate side street parking has been suspended for the remainder of the week.
Residents are being asked to remove vehicles from municipal and school parking lots so crews can clear those areas beginning Tuesday morning. A modified garbage and recycling schedule is in effect through the end of the week, organized by district.
City officials also warned residents and commercial property owners not to push snow back into the street, calling it particularly dangerous when large piles of compacted ice are created. Enforcement actions for sidewalk violations will begin Wednesday morning. Drivers are also reminded that they are required by law to remove all snow from vehicles before operating them.
Road Conditions and Black Ice Risk
The National Weather Service warned that standing water may refreeze overnight, creating black ice on untreated surfaces. Bridges and overpasses remain especially vulnerable.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation reported numerous downed trees and wires statewide and urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. Drivers are advised never to drive over downed wires or fallen trees.
Additional light wintry precipitation is possible Tuesday night, potentially prolonging cleanup efforts.
Municipal crews across the region remain on standby as they continue clearing secondary streets and residential areas. In many communities, officials say full clearing may take another day.
The Central Jerseyan will continue updating closures, municipal operations, and roadway conditions throughout the day.
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