Overnight Snow For NJ: Latest Accumulation Estimates, Timing

NEW JERSEY — Wednesday night into Thursday night will mark the first widespread snow of the winter season for New Jersey, blowing into the region from a Canadian storm on strong winds that could trigger snow squalls and create dangerous conditions.

The storm will sweep in Wednesday night, "bringing some rain and snow showers, strong winds, and continued below normal temperatures," the National Weather Service said.

North Jersey will see mostly snow, and heading south will see more of a mix of rain and snow, while coastal areas will only see rain.

Accumulations will only be a light dusting for most of the Garden State. An inch or two of snow could accumulate in the higher elevations of the northwestern corner of the state, however.

The real concern is Thursday morning, as conditions could make for a slippery and dangerous commute.

A wind advisory will be in place Thursday for all of New Jersey from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with strong westerly winds from 20 mph to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph, National Weather Service forecasters said.

With these strong winds and snow showers, primarily in North Jersey, roads could get slick. Snow squalls, which lower visibility, could form here too.

"A brief coating of snow lasting only a few minutes before melting on bridges and overpasses can be enough to create dangerous conditions for the Thursday morning commute," AccuWeather forecasters said.

If you haven't secured your loose outdoor items like trash cans or holiday decorations, now is the time to do so. "Winds will howl Thursday afternoon and evening in the Northeast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said.

This could cause tree damage and isolated power outages, forecasters warn.

And the strong Arctic winds could cause airline delays, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly after 3 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow showers between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 38. Windy, with a west wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 9 a.m., then a chance of snow showers between 9 a.m. and noon. Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 33 by 5pm. Windy, with a west wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.