Early Dismissal For Bridgewater-Raritan Schools Due To Icy Forecast

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — All schools in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional District will have an early dismissal on Friday due to the forecasted weather and the potential for hazardous road conditions.

The district sent out the announcement on Thursday around 3:45 p.m.

All AM PreK and Kindergarten classes will be dismissed at their regular time. PM PreK and Kindergarten classes are canceled.

To see the early dismissal house see the School Hours for Students.

Heavy rain, "dangerously cold" temperatures, intense winds and floods are expected in the area on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather officials expect 1-3 inches of rain to fall throughout the state, with the greatest totals near and north of Interstate 78. The National Weather Service also anticipates minor-to-moderate coastal flooding from Friday morning's and afternoon's high-tide cycles.

The threat of some form of flooding is widespread. Nearly all of New Jersey is under a flood watch from rainfall. Read More: Flooding, 'Rapid Freeze,' Outages Possible In NJ Before Christmas

Once the cold front sweeps in, temperatures could fall from the mid-to-upper 50s Friday morning, to the 20s or lower Friday evening, weather officials say. The cold front will bring powerful gusts, and mid-Atlantic roads may freeze up starting Friday afternoon, according to AccuWeather.

Temperatures could get "dangerously cold" Friday night through Saturday night — as low as -10 in parts of the state, per the National Weather Service.

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast:

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly before 5 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 53 by 2 a.m. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: Rain before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of snow. Temperature falling to around 21 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -9. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

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