Snow Squalls Possible For NJ Amid Arctic Blast: See Timing, Impacts

NEW JERSEY — Turbulent weather in New Jersey will continue this weekend and into next week as forecasters monitor a blast of arctic air that could bring the possibility of snow squalls to parts of the state.

Rain that swept across the state Friday has mainly ended, with the exception of isolated showers in parts of Central and North Jersey, according to the National Weather Service's Saturday morning forecast.

Despite the rain's end, coastal and river flooding remains a concern, forecasters said. The Passaic and Raritan Rivers were expected to remain at flood stage through the weekend, while coastal flooding and gale-force winds remain a risk through Saturday night.

By Saturday morning, a cold front was moving into the state, forecasters said. The timing of the front meant that high temperatures would likely occur early in the day before falling in the afternoon.

As the cold front moves in, forecasters said parts of the state could see snow showers with the potential for snow squalls on Sunday morning. While confidence in the forecast is low, forecasters said " isolated to scattered heavy pockets of snow showers are certainly possible."

Snow squalls, often associated with cold air fronts, move in and out quickly and typically last less than an hour. Snow squalls bring sudden white-out conditions and can produce icy roads in just a few minutes.

Timing for the system is expected to begin in Eastern Pennsylvania a few hours before sunrise before moving toward the Interstate 95 corridor by late morning or early afternoon, forecasters said.

The highest confidence for snow squalls will be in elevated areas including the Poconos, Lehigh Valley and northwest New Jersey. Blowing snow, reduced visibility and the potential for a flash freeze are also possible.

Beyond that, forecasters said a cold, dry airmass will move into the state Sunday afternoon, bringing a "brief period of tranquil weather" through Monday.

Meanwhile, forecasters are monitoring a storm that could bring more widespread snow to New Jersey starting Monday night and continuing through Wednesday. Where the storm tracks will depend on how much snow falls, forecasters said.

"Overall, we will just have to wait and see where low pressure spawns off the coast in order to get a better handle on the forecast track," the NWS said in its forecast.

Here's a look at this weekend's weather:

North Jersey

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 38 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Breezy, with a west wind of 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. West wind 8 to 15 mph.

Central Jersey

Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 42 by 5 p.m. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers between noon and 2 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

South Jersey

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 42 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers, mixing with rain after 2 p.m, then gradually ending. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 5 to 15 mph.