Winter Storm Targets NJ: See Revised Snow, Ice Totals

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey is bracing for yet another winter storm that could bring up to 7 inches of snow to some parts of the state and turn roads and sidewalks into ice skating rinks, according to the latest forecast.

While far less snow is predicted for central and southern parts of the state, a winter storm warning remains in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday for northeastern New Jersey, including parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.

According to the National Weather Service, these counties could see snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 7 inches. A light glazing of ice is also possible.

A winter weather advisory is in place for most of the state from 3 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. According to forecasters, the rest of the Garden State could see snow and sleet accumulations between 2 to 5 inches while most of Southern Jersey will see less than 1 inch.

The biggest change to the forecast on Saturday is the amount of ice accumulation expected.

NWS forecasters said up to one-tenth of an inch of ice may accumulate on untreated roads, bridges, sidewalks and parking lots, which will likely create hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians. Previous forecasts called for up to a quarter-inch of ice accumulation.

The storm system is predicted to move into the southern part of the state by 4 p.m. Saturday, while snow is likely to start falling north of Interstate 78 between 4-7 p.m.

The National Weather Service's New York office said the snow could fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour far North Jersey on Saturday night as the storm reaches its peak.

Meanwhile, the switch from snow to sleet and freezing rain will vary greatly from region to region and will depend on atmospheric and ground temperatures, forecasters said.

All precipitation is expected to end by daybreak on Sunday, when temperatures will warm to well above freezing in most areas.

The coming storm also prompted state transportation officials to issue commercial vehicle restrictions on multiple New Jersey highways starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The restrictions will remain in place until further notice and apply to all tractor-trailers, empty “straight” box trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, as well as recreational vehicles and motorcycles, officials said. The restrictions do not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or the Atlantic City Expressway.

See the full list of affected highways.

Looking ahead, another winter weather system will bring the potential for more significant snowfall on Tuesday and Tuesday night, according to forecasters. The first complete snowfall forecast for the system is expected to be released by Sunday morning.

Here's a look at the latest forecast for New Jersey:

North Jersey

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night: Snow before 10pm, then snow and sleet between 10pm and 4am, then snow and sleet likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain after 4am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 25. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow and sleet likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 7am, then a slight chance of snow between 7am and 10am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Central Jersey

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 3am, then a chance of freezing rain between 3am and 4am, then a chance of rain after 4am. Low around 29. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday Night: Snow, mainly before 1am. Low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

South Jersey

Saturday: Snow likely before 5pm, then rain, snow, and sleet. High near 35. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain, freezing rain, and sleet, becoming all rain after 9pm. Low around 30. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Tuesday: Snow, mainly after 1pm. High near 37. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tuesday Night: Snow, mainly before 1am. Low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 90%.