Snow Already? Up to 7 Inches Forecast

Jack-o'-Lantern, meet Jack Frost.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Morris and surrounding counties for Saturday, saying an early season coastal storm will dump snow, impair travel and cause power outages.

Three to 7 inches of snow are forecast for Montville. The storm could blanket certain areas with up to 10 inches of snow.

"Trees which still have leaves on them will become loaded with wet snow and have limbs break off them," the alert said. "Power outages will result. Prepare for loss of power."

The snow is expected to start falling after 8 a.m. If it accumulates on roads, Montville's will be ready, said department director Thomas Mazzaccaro.

Mazzaccaro said the roads are warm, so he's not expecting any longlasting accumulation, but as a precaution the town put plows on its trucks and the salters are ready.

"We're ready in the event it's necessary," he said. "Of course, we're hoping that it's not because it's just too early."

Capt. Edward Rosellini said there always seems to be more accidents and carelessness in the first snow, and urged motorists to be careful.

He said residents should stay off the roads during the storm.