Long-Term Forecast: Wintry Start For March, Spring In N.J.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow earlier this month, and predicted 6 more weeks of winter. But he may have been underestimating.

That's because the bad winter weather we've had lately is supposed to last a while - and could force its way right into spring. And we're going to see more of it today as a "high-wind warning" remains in effect for much of New Jersey.

Forecasters are predicting the winter weather will linger into spring across New Jersey and much of the United States. From coast to coast, cold air will maintain its grip across the northern tier of the country, according to an AccuWeather release.

Indeed, spring will start off on a wet note for the I-95 corridor, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Rain and snow will fall through mid-March in New Jersey and most of the Northeast, holding back temperatures.

"As far as a significant warmup goes in the Northeast, I think you have to hold off until late April and May," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

The switch could be flipped sometime in late March or early April. The warmup should arrive faster than in the past couple of years, Pastelok said. Still, with a significant chance of snow remaining, it's difficult to judge when the cold air will retreat.

"It seems like all the cold and all the snow has been really piling up across that area and it's going to be no different going into the early spring," he said.

Ironically, winter thus far has produced less-than-expected precipitation, and the bad, snowy weather didn't really hit until last week.

Since Dec. 1, the New Jersey-eastern Pennsylvania region has had 8 inches of snow, down from the yearly average of 14 inches. During the winter of 2015-216, the region had 25.2 inches inches of snow.

"We're running a bit below normal," said Mike Silva, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Silva said temperatures could warm up again by the end of the week, despite the small possibility of a system hitting the region on Wednesday and Thursday. More winter weather is expected next week, but it's too early to tell, he said.

On Monday, meanwhile, a National Weather Service high-wind warning remains in effect for all counties from Monmouth County and south, while the north has a wind advisory.

Here are the potential impacts:

• WINDS...Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
• TIMING...The greatest potential for high winds will be this morning. The winds will gradually weaken later today, but strong gusts of 45 to 50 mph are still possible this afternoon.
• IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Isolated power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult...especially for high profile vehicles.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS..A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

Patch file photo