Dangerous Snow Squalls Trigger Warnings Across NJ: Latest Updates

NEW JERSEY — Snow squall warnings have been issued across North and Central Jersey Thursday morning during New Jersey's first widespread snow of the season.

The most recent warning has been issued from South Plainfield down to Twin Rivers. It's in place through 10:45 a.m.

A snow squall warning is in effect until 10:45 AM EST for I-287, I-78, I-95, US-1 near Metropolitan NY/NJ/CT and I-295, I-95, US-1, US-130 near Trenton, NJ and I-95, US-130, US-1 near Twin Rivers--Hightstown, NJ and US-202 near Philadelphia, PA--NJ--DE--MD. pic.twitter.com/DEoVMYEIon
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December 5, 2024

Several squalls have already been spotted Thursday. A warning in Sussex and Warren counties is in place until 10:15 a.m.

A squall was spotted in Morris County, and a warning has been issued for there, Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer counties.

A snow squall warning is in effect until 10:00 AM EST for I-476, US-202, US-422 near Philadelphia, PA--NJ--DE--MD and I-176, US-422, US-222 near Reading, PA and I-95, US-206 near Trenton, NJ and I-80, I-280, I-287, I-78 near Metropolitan NY/NJ/CT. pic.twitter.com/FBcRzJnVtI
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) December" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/NWS_MountH... 5, 2024

These are hazardous and life-threatening conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

"Along I-95, on Thursday morning and midday, rain showers will transition to snow showers. In most cases, the snow showers will bring just wet roads. However, a sudden drop in visibility will occur, and that alone can boost the risk of accidents," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said.

Most areas didn't get more than a dusting of snow. Two inches of snow have fallen in Randolph in Morris County, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, and just under one inch in Holland Township in Hunterdon County.

Some schools in North and Central Jersey saw delays Thursday morning. See below for the full list.

The biggest concern Thursday is strong winds in the storm's wake, as showers will sweep through the state through the first half of the morning. A wind advisory is issued statewide from 6 a.m. through 10 p.m., with coastal areas seeing gusts up to 55 mph and inland areas up to 50 mph. The worst of this is expected in the late morning through the afternoon, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

Strong winds like these could send holiday decorations flying, and also trigger power outages and break large tree limbs.

Temperatures will also fall to the low-to-mid 30s by sunset, and the wind chill should make that feel a good 10 degrees colder.

The following districts have a delayed opening Thursday, according to NJ Advance Media.

Hunterdon County

• Bethlehem
• Califon
• Clinton Public School
• Clinton Township
• Franklin
• High Bridge
• North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional
• Tewksbury
• Union

Sussex County

• Andover Regional
• Frankford
• Fredon
• Green Township
• Hamburg
• Hardyston
• High Point
• Hopatcong
• Kittatinny
• Montague
• Ogdensburg
• Sparta
• Stillwater
• Sussex-Wantage
• Vernon
• Wallkill Valley