Armed personnel blocking people from getting into escalators at PABT, NYC. Overcrowded terminals. #NewYorkSnow pic.twitter.com/O8JJ4l0iuE — Ajoy Singha (@AjoySingha) November 16, 2018

Port Authority officials threw their hands in the air early Thursday night and told commuters packed into the bus terminal that they should try to find another way home as buses remained helplessly stuck in hours of tri-state gridlock.

Then they closed the doors to the whole thing, and suggested people try to catch a train or hop on a ferry.

Welcome to the first snowstorm of the season.

Passengers at #PABT are urged to take trains and ferries back to NJ if possible, due to weather and road conditions that have delayed buses and caused significant crowding issues at the terminal. — PortAuthBusTerminal (@PABusTerminal) November 15, 2018

The Port Authority nightmare was the latest in a storm that turned into a real slap in the face for commuters: major highways closed, bridges shut down and report after report on social media of typical 10 minute commutes measures in several hours.

NJ Transit train service is subject to 60 minute delays.

Police have also responded to nearly 500 crashes across the state.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.