The winter storm that forecasters have been tracking for a week is nearly here, bringing heavy snow and dangerous ice to New Jersey.
Snow is expected to begin after 1 a.m. Sunday and spread north across the state by dawn.
“A major winter storm is expected to impact the area, beginning tonight and continuing through Monday morning,” the National Weather Service said. “This storm will bring significant snow and ice accumulations to the entire area, resulting in major disruptions.”
A dual threat winter storm is expected to bury New Jersey under heavy snow and a dangerous layer of ice starting tonight. The latest forecast calls for up to 18 inches of snow in northern New Jersey and up to three-tenths of an inch of ice in the southern half of the state on top of heavy snowfall.National Weather Service
The latest forecast shows the storm continuing well into Monday with localized amounts up to 18 inches of snow possible and widespread 12 to 16 inches likely across northern New Jersey.
“Travel could be nearly impossible,” the weather service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.”
Thousands of flights have been canceled ahead of the storm.
The heaviest snow is expected Sunday morning into the early afternoon before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain in many areas.
That has lowered snow projections for southern New Jersey, but not the danger, forecasters said.
“Very important to stress that while snowfall totals have been reduced slightly, the impacts remain the same,” the weather service said. “The combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will result in major impacts and that thinking has not changed for days now.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency starting at 5 p.m. Saturday and urged residents to stay home. A commercial vehicle travel ban will also be in effect on major highways.
The entire state is also under a winter storm warning.
A narrow corridor of the highest ice accumulations has shifted southeast and is now focused over South Jersey.
Freezing rain accumulations of 0.25 to 0.4 inches are expected in Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and parts of Camden counties, while the I-95 corridor may see around 0.1 to 0.2 inches of ice.
The accumulating ice may cause power outages.
“Freezing rain places tremendous strain on trees and power lines,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. “Even small ice accumulations can lead to widespread outages as branches snap and lines sag.”
Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are likely Sunday morning into the early afternoon.
Winds will increase Sunday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 20 to 30 mph possible, potentially creating near white-out conditions in the heaviest snow bands.
Snow will taper off by midday Monday as the storm system moves away from the region.
County-by-county storm warnings
- Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem and Somerset – From 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow with mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 7 and 13 inches and ice accumulations up to three-tenths of an inch. Ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause tree damage and power outages.
- Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and eastern Passaic – From 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. The snow may mix with or change to sleet Sunday evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 10 and 14 inches. A brief changeover to light freezing rain along with a light glaze of ice may occur Sunday night.
- Western Passaic – From 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 16 inches. Sleet may briefly mix in with the snow Sunday night.
- Atlantic and Cape May – From 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday. Heavy snow with mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 4 and 8 inches and ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
- Sussex and Warren – From 1 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 11 and 15 inches.
A dual threat winter storm is expected to bury New Jersey under heavy snow and a dangerous layer of ice starting tonight. The latest forecast calls for up to 18 inches of snow in northern New Jersey and up to three-tenths of an inch of ice in the southern half of the state on top of heavy snowfall.National Weather Service
Extended forecast
Arctic air will continue to dominate the week through Friday, with highs Monday only in the upper 20s to low 30s before a strong cold front crosses Monday night.
Lows will plummet into the single digits Tuesday through Friday, with highs struggling to rise above 20 degrees on Tuesday and only reaching the low to mid 20s Wednesday through Friday.
Below zero wind chills are possible Tuesday night through Friday night.
Current weather radar
