N.J. weather: Messy mix of snow, ice, rain expected today. Updates on forecast maps, timing.

A combination of snow, freezing rain and the potential for a glaze of ice is sweeping across New Jersey this morning, leading to dozens of school closures and delays in anticipation of slick roads.

A state of emergency has been declared for the five northwestern counties expected to get the worst of the storm with snowfall totals of 1 to 4 inches and a glaze of ice possible.

The state of emergency took effect at 5 a.m. for Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties.

The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories for those five counties and expanded the alerts overnight to include Somerset County.

“These are the areas most likely to experience a troublesome Tuesday morning commute, with snowfall up to the 1-3 inch range as well as light glaze of ice from freezing rain,” the National Weather Service said early Tuesday.

Snow, freezing rain and the potential for a glaze of ice could make for a messy Tuesday morning commute across northwestern New Jersey, forecasters say. Areas south and west of I-95 should expect all rain from the storm.AccuWeather.com and National Weather Service

The rain-snow line for this storm is tracking along the I-95 corridor, where a brief mix is possible at the start of the storm, the weather service said.

The rain-snow line is expected to push northward through the I-78 corridor by mid-morning, with areas along and north of I-78 experiencing the most significant snowfall.

Areas south and west of I-95 are likely to see all rain.

Snow, freezing rain and the potential for a glaze of ice could make for a messy Tuesday morning commute across northwestern New Jersey, forecasters say. Areas south and west of I-95 should expect all rain from the storm.AccuWeather.com and National Weather Service

Rainfall totals of up to 1.25 inches are expected in the southern half of the state.

The combination of wet snow and northwest winds gusting to 35 mph this afternoon and evening could result in downed tree branches and scattered power outages, particularly in Sussex County, the weather service said.

Current winter weather advisories:

• Hunterdon – Total snow and sleet accumulations up to 1 inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Advisory expires at 10 a.m.
• Morris – Total snow accumulations up to 1 inch with localized amounts to 2 inches in higher elevations and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Advisory expires at 1 p.m.
• Passaic (western) – Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Advisory expires at 10 p.m.
• Somerset – Total snow and sleet accumulations up to 1 inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Advisory expires at 10 a.m.
• Sussex – Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches with localized amounts to 4 inches in higher elevations and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Advisory expires at 7 p.m.
• Warren – Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches with localized amounts to 4 inches in higher elevations and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Advisory expires at 1 p.m.

As the storm departs Tuesday evening, temperatures will drop below freezing, creating the potential for black ice where slushy snow melt refreezes on roadways, especially north of Interstate 78.

Wednesday will bring dry conditions and partly to mostly clear skies as high pressure builds in from the west.

High temperatures will reach the mid 30s to low 40s, about 10 degrees below normal for early December.

Any lingering wind gusts should subside by midday Wednesday.

Overnight lows Wednesday night will drop into the low to mid 20s across most of New Jersey, with upper 20s to near 30 degrees along the Jersey Shore.

A blast of colder air will send temperatures plunging through the end of this week.AccuWeather.com and National Weather Service

Thursday will remain dry with partly to mostly cloudy skies as a cold front approaches from the northwest and passes through during the afternoon.

High temperatures will generally be in the 30s northwest of I-95 and in the 40s to the southeast. Gusty northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected.

Thursday night will be very cold, with lows in the single digits across far northwestern New Jersey, teens across the remainder of the state’s northern areas, and low 20s in southern counties.

Friday will remain very cold with high temperatures ranging from the upper 20s inland to the mid 30s along the coast, running 10 to 15 degrees below normal.

Forecasters are tracking the potential for another winter storm this weekend, but the National Weather Service said current models show the system passing south of New Jersey.AccuWeather.com and National Weather Service

A storm system may pass to the south Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing a chance of light snow late Friday night that could transition to a light rain-snow mix by Saturday morning in southern areas.

However, there is uncertainty about how close this system will track to New Jersey.

Saturday should see any morning precipitation ending, with weak high pressure returning Saturday night into Sunday.

Another cold front will pass through Sunday night, ushering in another very cold air mass for early next week with lows in the teens and 20s and highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s Monday.

Current weather radar