A mixture of snow, freezing rain, and ice is affecting New Jersey this morning, causing numerous school closures. A state of emergency is in effect due to harsh weather conditions in five northwestern counties. The counties include Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren, all of which are predicted to receive between 1 to 4 inches of snow along with a potential glaze of ice.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for these five counties and expanded alerts to include Somerset County. These areas are particularly vulnerable to difficult commuting conditions today. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches, coupled with a light glaze from freezing rain, is anticipated for the Tuesday morning rush. Areas along and south of I-95 are expected to experience predominantly rain.
Weather Development
The rain-snow line is predicted to shift northward through the I-78 corridor by mid-morning. Consequently, areas north of I-78 will likely see the most significant snowfall, while southern regions will mostly receive rain. Rainfall totals may reach up to 1.25 inches in southern New Jersey.
- Hunterdon County: Snow/sleet accumulations up to 1 inch; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 10 a.m.
- Morris County: Snow accumulations up to 2 inches; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 1 p.m.
- Passaic County: Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 10 p.m.
- Somerset County: Snow/sleet accumulations up to 1 inch; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 10 a.m.
- Sussex County: Snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 7 p.m.
- Warren County: Snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches; ice glaze. Advisory expires at 1 p.m.
As the storm departs this evening, temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, increasing the risk of black ice on roads. This is especially concerning for areas north of Interstate 78. By Wednesday, conditions will improve with partly cloudy skies and dry weather as high pressure moves in.
Upcoming Cold Weather
Temperatures will range from the mid-30s to low 40s, which is about 10 degrees below the seasonal average. Wind gusts will likely diminish by midday on Wednesday. Overnight temperatures will drop into the low to mid-20s statewide, with higher temperatures near the shore.
The state will continue to experience cold weather through Thursday, with highs in the 30s in the northwest and 40s in the southeast. Wind gusts from the northwest are expected to range from 15 to 25 mph. Thursday night will see temperatures plummeting, especially in far northwestern New Jersey where single-digit lows are possible.
Future Storms
As the week progresses, forecasters are monitoring another potential winter storm this weekend. Current models suggest it may track south of New Jersey. There could be a chance of light snow late Friday transitioning to a rain-snow mix on Saturday morning in some southern areas. After this, high pressure will move in, followed by another cold front on Sunday night, bringing even colder air into early next week.
