Winter Storm Janus: NYC-NJ Public Schools Open Today 1/22/2014 Amid Heavy Snowfall Forecast

By Joshua Cheng

Winter storm Janus is causing the second weather crisis in just two-weeks time span for Americans in Northeast; over 15.5 inches of snow recorded in New Jersey, 3,000 flights canceled throughout the states. Despite the weather warning, New York City Schools Chancellor said schools will remain open Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, but warned of travel difficulties.

The DOE website states: 

"Student After-school Programs, Field Trips, and PSAL Games are Operating on a Normal Schedule

Chancellor Carmen Fariña today announced that schools will be open tomorrow, and all student after-school programs and PSAL games will resume their normal schedules. Travel conditions may be difficult, and families should exercise their own judgment when taking their children to school. Families of students with disabilities who have transportation concerns can call 718-392-8855 for assistance starting at 5:30 am."

Winter Storm Janus
Winter Storm Janus

Stretching 1,000 miles from Kentucky and Massachusetts, Janus hit especially hard along the densely populated interstate 95 route between Philadelphia and Boston, causing dangerous road conditions for millions of motorists.

According to National Weather Service, Philadelphia got a bit more than a foot of snow and Brookhaven, near Philadelphia's airport, got 15 inches. New York City had 10 inches by Tuesday night.

Winter Storm Janus
Winter Storm Janus

Weather forecasts predict that temperatures will remain lower than 17 degrees and wind gusts will be around 35 mph on Wednesday. Schools in New York City area have contacted parents on Tuesday to pick up students as Gov. Cuomo declared a state of emergency.

Winter Storm Janus
Winter Storm Janus

However, Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina said Tuesday night that schools would be open Wednesday, despite predictions of high snow accumulations, up to 14 inches of snow on the ground, and harsh weather conditions. Department of Education warned that travel conditions might be difficult.

Highways in the New York City metropolitan area were jammed, and blowing snow further exacerbated the situation.

Winter Storm Janus
Winter Storm Janus

Sanitation spokesman Vito Turso said Tuesday in a press conference that plows and sanders were working in the Upper East Side as soon as snow started falling in the morning. He said early rush hours caused the delay of their workers' duties.

Turso said that 2,000 of the city's Strongest were working 13-hour shifts and more than 1,700 plows were deployed.

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