A major winter storm set to batter New Jersey starting Wednesday is expected to drop at least a foot of snow, with some spots getting up to 24 inches, across much of the northern half of the state along with winds gusting up to 50 mph that could trigger power outages.
Winter storm warnings have been issued for seven northern and central counties with the National Weather Service calling for at least 12 inches of snow for five of the counties and as much as two feet in Sussex and Warren counties. Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer are the other counties under a winter storm warning starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Five northeastern counties — Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union — remain under the less severe winter storm watch but figure to be bumped up to warning levels as the storm nears. Snowfall totals in those highly-populated counties range from 13 to 17 inches.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
AccuWeather.com is holding to its earlier projections of 12 to 18 inches of snow for northern New Jersey with totals decreasing to the south and east.
Forecasters again emphasized that where the rain/snow line sets up will make a big difference in how much snow falls in Central Jersey counties. There could be as little as 6 to 8 inches of snow along the Interstate 95 corridor and as much as 12 to 18 inches just 20 miles to the west, the weather service said in its morning forecast discussion.
“A shift farther to the east or west by 25 miles can have a huge impact on accumulation of snow versus more mixing of rain and snow and plain rain,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Courtney Travis said.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
Occasional sleet and freezing rain might mix in at times and a light glaze of ice is possible.
The heaviest snow is expected late Wednesday afternoon and evening where 1 to 2 inches and hour could drop, especially in northwestern areas of the state.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
Along with heavy snow that is likely to fall Wednesday night into early Thursday, wind that triggers power outages is the other main concern. Winds gusts inland could reach 35 to 40 mph while along the Jersey Shore gusts might get as strong as 50 mph.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also likely along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay on Wednesday night and Thursday.
Coastal areas of Atlantic and Cape May counties could see a brief period of snow Thursday morning but otherwise will receive a steady rain.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
A major winter storm is expected to hit New Jersey starting Wednesday with snowfall totals up to 24 inches in some spots along with high winds and the threat of coastal flooding.
Tuesday will offer dry, chilly conditions for any storm preparations with sunny skies and highs in the upper 30s to near 40.
Thursday is shaping up as mostly cloudy and cold after the storm is gone with highs struggling to get much above the freezing mark. The weekend will be dry, but temperatures will top out in the low 40s so the snow won’t be melting for awhile.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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