Winter Storm Warnings Issued As Nor'Easter Targets NJ

NEW JERSEY — Winter storm warnings and wind advisories have begun popping up around the state as a nor'easter is set to begin moving through the region Monday night and into Tuesday.

A winter storm warning is already in effect for of Sussex, Morris and Warren counties from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Snow totals of six to eight inches are possible, forecasters said.

Western Passaic County is also under a warning from 10 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Total accumulations of four to 12 inches are possible with winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour. Higher elevations may see closer to eight to 12 inches, said the NWS.

Eastern Passaic and western Bergen counties are under a winter weather advisory from 12 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Plain rain will fall across much of NJ on Monday, said AccuWeather. The most snow will likely fall along the I-80 corridor from Monday until “at least Tuesday morning,” per the National Weather Service, but a heavier band of snow “will pivot southward toward the I-78 corridor Monday night and Tuesday.

The track of the storm can significantly impact conditions in northern NJ, said AccuWeather: “Any slight shift could spell trouble for how much snow the region receives.”

The main area of this storm will begin moving across New Jersey around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, with the highest risk of snow in the northwestern counties.

Temperatures could drop just enough to cause a wintry mixture or dusting of snow as far south as Vineland and Atlantic City, which will begin seeing precipitation by about 8 a.m.

Some accumulation is also possible in the central counties.
There’s also an enhanced wind risk that could cause power outages throughout the state, with some tree damage possible.

“The snow will be heavy and wet in nature, which can lead to snapped branches and downed power lines,” explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff.

This storm has the potential to turn into what forecasters call a “bomb cyclone”and pack a punch with damaging winds, snowfall amounts and coastal flooding, according to AccuWeather.

The wind is also a risk for the entire area, said forecasters; counties below the I-95 corridor are under a wind advisory.

AccuWeather says to expect blustery winds ranging from 40-50 mph across central and eastern Pennsylvania, with gusts reaching speeds of 50-60 miles per hour in parts of New Jersey.

Gale force winds with gusts of 35-45 knots on the NJ/DE Atlantic Coast and the Delaware Bay are expected Tuesday into Wednesday, added the NWS.

Coastal flooding will also be a concern, AccuWeather forecasters say, with a coastal flood advisory issued.

Here is an updated look at the forecast around New Jersey early this week:

North Jersey

Monday Night
Rain. Low around 36. Northeast wind around 11 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday
Rain. High near 37. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Rain, possibly mixed with snow, mainly before 8pm. Low around 30. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind 21 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Central Jersey

Monday Night
Rain before 5am, then rain and snow. Low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday
Rain and snow before 4pm, then a chance of rain. High near 39. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night
A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of snow between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

South Jersey

Monday Night
Rain, mainly before 3am. Low around 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday
A chance of rain before 9am, then rain and snow likely between 9am and 11am, then rain likely after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night
A chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.