Why is the state brining roads when the forecast does not call for any accumulation of snow or ice?

Weather forecasters, who were criticized by Gov. Phil Murphy for not predicting the intensity of a storm that crippled New Jersey almost two weeks ago, are on the warpath again, dinging state transportation officials for over-preparing for another non-existent storm.

Drivers also said they saw chalky, white lines of brine treatment on some highways and parts of the Garden State Parkway on Wednesday morning. Brine is typically applied to roads before a storm to prevent icing.

But meteorologists on social media said no snowstorms are imminent and the preparations are a waste of money. The only bad weather in the forecast is a high wind advisory from the National Weather Service.

Your tax dollars literally down the drain. #WarOnImaginaryStorms https://t.co/wrb4shsj0u — Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) November 28, 2018

Retired National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Szatkowski also took the DOT to task on Nov. 20 after he drove roads in South Jersey that were brined despite no forecast of snow. The veteran meteorologist dubbed it the "war on imaginary storms."

NJDOT crews applied brine in preparation for light snow forecast before the Wednesday morning commute in Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon and Somerset counties, said Stephen Schapiro, an agency spokesman.

"Even light amounts of snow, sleet or freezing rain can cause black ice and dangerous conditions for driving," Schapiro said. "Brine applied to dry road surfaces can last for several days."

Part of the DOT's effort included a "buffer zone" in Bergen, Essex, Union, Hudson and Middlesex Counties, in case that snow expanded.

Other meteorologists chimed in Wednesday on Twitter, questioning the need.

This is terrible. Dangerous. Reckless. And WRONG. https://t.co/Wqqd4Vn7RQ — Meteorologist Dan Zarrow (@DanZarrow) November 28, 2018

Murphy's office deferred comment to the DOT.

People on social media responded to a report on New Jersey 101.5 about fresh brine on several highways across the state Wednesday morning, including Route 202 near Flemington in Hunterdon County, on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex and Union counties, and the Garden State Parkway in Middlesex and Union.

No snow was reported in those areas at the time, although a Twitter user reported a light dusting of snow in Morris County and the National Weather Service reported light snow at Sussex Airport in Sussex County at 2 a.m. Wednesday.

The snow in Sussex did not accumulate, because the air temperature was 35 degrees at the time, said Alex Staarmann, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Mount Holly.

Staarmann said occasional snow showers could occur Wednesday afternoon in northern New Jersey, but no accumulations are expected.

"We're just getting some outer snow showers that are making it down from New York" state, Staarmann said. "It's above freezing, so it's not going to stick to the roads."

@BillSpadea @nj1015 @DanZarrow unnecessary parkway south brining between exit 138-exit 129 with the sun coming out and 37 degrees out pic.twitter.com/j1ofEn1xpW — Allison (@allisonryder23) November 28, 2018

Very thankful for the brine on the NJTRNPK this morning from exit 10 to 13A. Almost spun out multiple times. Thank You @BillSpadea — jeffisaia (@jisaia_99) November 28, 2018

On Nov. 18, three days after his administration was criticized for its snowstorm response, Murphy announced a more aggressive approach to prepare for winter storms in advance of two small ones that ultimately fizzled out.

Got the storm response so bad the last time now going overboard — Lance (@LanceLassen) November 28, 2018

Murphy also has repeatedly said his administration will work to ensure the traffic nightmare from two weeks ago never happens again.

"We have to do better, we must do better, and we will do better," he said during a recent radio appearance.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson and Len Melisurgo contributed to this report.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.