Snow Squalls, 50 MPH Winds Forecast As Arctic Blast Sweeps Across NJ

NEW JERSEY — A Canadian storm is set to bring snow and rain, strong winds and an Arctic blast to New Jersey this week, according to the latest forecast.

"A strong storm system will impact the region Wednesday night through Thursday night, bringing potential for rain and snow showers, strong winds, and continued below normal temperatures," forecasters with the National Weather Service said.

Most of the state will see at least some snowfall (except for the coastal areas and the northeastern corner, which will just see rain) though accumulations of less than one inch are expected, the National Weather Service said. Higher elevations in the northwestern corner of the state could see an inch or two, forecasters said.

Up north will see mostly snow, with a snow/rain mix heading south and then primarily rain near the coast.

The timing of the storm means that Thursday morning could have a very slippery commute. There is also the potential for snow squalls, though this would be limited to North Jersey, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

Snow squalls, "the winter cousins of summertime thunderstorms" according to AccuWeather, can reduce visibility and bring a rapid, thin coating of snow that can cause dangers in traffic.

"Compounding the issue, in this case, will be the potential for a rapid freeze-up where the snow squalls just wet the roads, and then the road freezes before it is dried off by gusty winds," AccuWeather forecasters said. "In another scenario, the snow squalls bring a thin coating that turns icy as vehicles compress the snow and briefly cause it to melt but then turn into a sheet of ice."

This should not be widespread, however.

"The limiting factor for any impacts from this activity will be surface temperatures, as most areas south of I-78 will be above freezing with above freezing roadway temperatures," the National Weather Service said.

Strong winds on Thursday, potentially up to 50 mph, could lead to tree damage and local power outages, the National Weather Service said. A wind advisory could be issued for Thursday because of this.

These winds and low temperatures in the 20s will yield wind chills in the low-to-mid 10s for much of the region, "by far the lowest wind chills we have experienced so far this season," the National Weather Service said.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 33. 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 a half inch possible.

Thursday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers before 1 a.m., then rain and snow showers likely between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 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 25. Breezy.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly after 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of snow showers between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 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 24. Breezy.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.