WEATHER ALERT: Heavy Snow Falling; Hour-By-Hour Look Ahead For Freehold

The changeover to snow has happened much later than forecasts said, but predictions that we could still receive as much as 8 inches have officials exercising an abundance of caution.

Freehold area residents are reminded to get vehicles off the street so that plowing can be done more efficiently. Motorists are urged to take extra time and slow down as roads are icy and hazardous from the sleet that fell earlier.

The National Weather Service’s winter weather warning remains in effect until 7 p.m., wih temperatures continuing to slowly drop through the day and into the night. In addition, the wind is expected to pick up enough to push the wind chill below zero by daybreak Friday.

Here’s a look at what forecasters say is in store hour-by-hour through Friday morning:

Thursday

• 9 a.m.-noon: 28 degrees, heavy snowfall
• noon-3 p.m.: 26 degrees, snow continues heavy.
• 3-6 p.m.: 24 degrees, total of 4 to 8 inches possible.
• 6-9 p.m.: 20 degrees, snow tapers off; wind 16 mph, wind chill of 6.
• 9 p.m.-midnight: 18 degrees, wind at 17 mph, wind chill of -1.

Friday

• Midnight-3 a.m.: .16 degrees, wind chill of -3.
• 3-6 a.m.: 14 degrees, wind chill of -5.