Snow, Ice, Outages, Downed Trees: Latest Winter Storm Forecast In Cinnaminson

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Weather officials lowered their projections Friday afternoon for this weekend's winter storm. But the ice could be especially potent throughout the region, especially for South Jersey towns like Cinnaminson, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Snow will begin after midnight late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. The storm will peak sometime during the day Sunday and into the evening before winding down into Monday morning, says the NWS's regional office in Mount Holly.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire region from 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday for the entire region. During that time:

• Heavy snow and mixed precipitation are expected.
• Power outages and tree damage from ice are likely.
• Travel could become "nearly impossible," the NWS's warning says.
• Hazardous travel conditions could linger into the Monday morning commute.

Roughly 8 to 12 inches of snow are expected throughout South Jersey — down from the NWS's projections of 12 to 18 inches from Friday morning.

"Snowfall amounts have trended down slightly, but ice amounts have trended up slightly for some areas," NWS Mount Holly said. "Regardless of exactly how much snow falls, our message is the same: Significant impacts are expected for our entire area!"

The threat of ice accumulation looms especially large in South Jersey, where up to 0.3 inches could accumulate Sunday.

"The combination of heavy snow followed by sleet/freezing rain and breezy northeast winds gusting 20-30 mph could result in some isolated instances of downed trees and power lines, and power outages," NWS Mount Holly said in a Friday afternoon storm briefing.

Meanwhile, an extremely cold period will run from Friday night through next week, according to forecasters.

A cold weather advisory is in effect from midnight to 10 a.m. Saturday, when wind chills could dip to 7 below zero.

"Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures," the advisory says. "Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure."

Click here for the National Weather Service's latest winter storm briefing as of Friday. An updated briefing will be released around 7 a.m. Saturday.

Local Impacts

Trash collection for all Cinnaminson residents will be delayed by one day next week.

Burlington County officials advise residents to compile 3 to 5 days' worth of food and water, prescription medications, toiletries, a first aid kit and, if needed, supplies for babies and pets.

Residents should also check their home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

"We’re strongly encouraging motorists to stay home and off the roads until we have them sufficiently cleared," said County Commissioner Tom Pullion, liaison to the county's Department of Public Works. "If you must travel, please drive slowly and carefully and give plow or salt trucks you encounter a wide berth so they can do their jobs safely and without impediment."

The days leading up to the storm have been especially busy for local hardware stores, including Schwering's Hardware in Palmyra.

Due to high call volume, Schwering's will not be answering calls on Friday. Callers will instead receive an automated message regarding the pallet of ice melt being delivered.

"To remain fair to our customers, we can not hold any ice melt or take any prepayments," the business said on Facebook. "We will also be limiting 1 bag per person. Please stay tuned to our phone message for updates. We understand its frustrating and we would love to help all of our customers. Please be patient with us as we navigate the (not so) calm before the storm."

Cinnaminson police reminded residents to remove vehicles from the roadways ahead of the heavy snowfall, as required by law.

"If a vehicle is in the roadway and it interferes with the ability of Public Works to plow the roadways, your vehicle may be towed, at your own expense," police said.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest forecast for Cinnaminson as of this writing:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -7. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
• Saturday night: Snow after 1 a.m. Low around 14. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Sunday: Snow before 1 p.m., then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
• Sunday night: Snow and sleet before 10 p.m., then freezing rain and sleet between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then snow likely after 4am. Low around 23. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
• Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.