A winter storm that began Sunday and tapered off into a smattering of snow flurries by Tuesday afternoon provided plenty of sledding opportunities at Flood’s Hill, along with other slopes throughout South Orange and Maplewood.
The slow-moving weather front allowed local officials to make preparations beginning on Sunday, with Maplewood issuing its own storm warning and South Orange declaring a state of emergency.
The South Orange-Maplewood School District, which brought some students back for in-person learning last month, called for an all-virtual day on Monday and — finally — a snow day on Tuesday. It later moved all classes to remote instruction for the rest of the week.
Officially, South Orange saw a total of 18.6 inches of snow, NJ.com reported, while some areas of New Jersey were pummeled with as much as 30 inches.
And local weather-forecasting rodent Essex Ed reportedly did not see his shadow on Groundhog Day, signaling the impending arrival of spring. Branching out, Essex Ed via a Zoom call also picked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win Super Bowl LV.
Photos by Joy Yagid.
![Sledders on a hill](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/untitled-03726-scaled.jpg)
A snow day gave many Maplewood and South Orange children — and adults — the chance to take to the local slopes. (Photo by Joy Yagid)
![Sledders on a snowy hill](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/untitled-03743-scaled.jpg)
Maplewood and South Orange residents of all ages went sledding on a public school snow day. (Photo by Joy Yagid)
![Man and child playing in snow](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/untitled-03816-scaled.jpg)
A tiny sledder gets a helping hand. (Photo by Joy Yagid).
![Firefighters shovel snow near sign with a poem](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/untitled-03864-scaled.jpg)
Members of the Maplewood Fire Department shovel snow near an aptly positioned poem titled ‘Weather’ by Claudia Rankine. (Photo by Joy Yagid)
![Snowy train platform](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/untitled-03825-scaled.jpg)
Maplewood’s NJ Transit train station saw little activity amid the snow. (Photo by Joy Yagid).
![Person walking on a snowy street](https://villagegreennj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXL_20210201_192123137-scaled.jpg)
Snowy streets were a common sight across Maplewood and South Orange after a two-day snowstorm. (Photo by Joy Yagid)