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 1,981 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
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

1:35
Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

0:28
Police: Levittown woman arrested for driving drunk with 2 children in vehicle

Police: Levittown woman arrested for driving drunk with 2 children in vehicle

2:05
Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

1:42
FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

0:22
East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

1:44
Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

2:28
Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

1:46
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

0:51
Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:46
Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

2:10
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS