Eyewitness News Vault: The Surprise 1987 Veteran's Day Snow Storm on the East Coast

Unexpected November Snowfall

• ❄️ A sudden snowstorm hit the East Coast on November 11, 1987, catching many by surprise and making driving treacherous.
• ⚠️ The storm dumped up to a half foot of snow in some areas, with New Jersey being particularly hard-hit, experiencing snow on top of ice from a previous storm.
• 🚗 Two fatalities were reported due to accidents caused by the snowy conditions.

Impact on New Jersey

• 🌨️ Fort Lee, New Jersey, reported about 5 inches of snow, while Sussex County saw up to 9 inches, leading to widespread closures of stores and slowed business.
• 🛠️ Businesses selling snow tires experienced a surge in demand, with customers waiting for hours to get their vehicles equipped.
• 🚚 Many vehicles, including a gas truck, were abandoned due to being stuck in ice and snow, causing significant traffic delays, with some commuters taking over four hours for a normally short trip.

Northern Areas and Overtime

• 🏔️ Poughkeepsie, New York, recorded 14 inches of snow, described as "too much too soon" for November.
• 🚧 Roads in areas like Rockland and Westchester counties became difficult to navigate, with several abandoned cars.
• 💰 Snow removal crews and related services worked extensive overtime, with some employees working since the previous night and being called back out.

Weather Forecast and Outlook

• 💨 The forecast predicted more of the same for the morning, with slick highways and strong, gusty winds, making it feel colder.
• 📈 Temperatures were expected to rise throughout the day, reaching the upper 40s, with a warming trend anticipated for the following days.
• ☀️ By Saturday and Sunday, the weather was expected to improve significantly, with more sunshine and a return to more typical late autumn conditions, making people forget about the early snow.