Latest NJ Nor'easter Snow Update: 24 Inches, 55 MPH Wind Possible

UPDATE: Here are the latest details for a nor'easter snowstorm that may hit many New Jersey communities with up to 2 feet of snow and/or 60-mph winds. Read more: Timing, Latest Snow Estimates For NJ Nor'easter, 60-MPH Winds

NEW JERSEY — Much of New Jersey could get up to 2 feet of snow and 55 mph winds from a nor'easter that could be the worst storm to hit the Garden State in three years.

The National Weather Service has now issued a winter storm warning for seven New Jersey counties, saying heavy snow mixed with ice will create a mess on local roads and highways. The rest of North and Central Jersey is under a winter storm watch.

A winter storm warning was issued in these counties: Sussex, Morris, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Warren and Hunterdon.

The NWS issued snow estimates for each region of New Jersey:

Here is what to expect from the storm that's expected to impact the region between 7 a.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday:

• Heavy snow, mixed precipitation, and rain will affect the region. Snow amounts will be significant near and north of the I-95 corridor.
• Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour for a time late day Wednesday into Wednesday night, causing significantly reduced visibility and potentially crippling travel in places.
• Very strong winds are expected near the coast and over the marine zones, with gusts potentially reaching 40 to 55 mph or stronger. This could result in power outages.
• Inland gusts could reach as high as 30 to 40 mph, exacerbating visibility restrictions in snow.
• Coastal flooding is likely and could reach widespread moderate levels Thursday morning along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay.
• Much of the snowstorm — which Gov. Phil Murphy called a "whopper" — is expected to hit New Jersey around 1 p.m. and later.

The storm is expected to be the worst since 2018, when ice storms dominated much of the winter during the early part of the year. An unexpected storm hit New Jersey during the late fall of that year.

Even with travel being limited amid the coronavirus pandemic, the storm could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first rounds of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country, according to AccuWeather.

Forecasters warn that the storm will hit hard and fast, with major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages, according to AccuWeather.

A number of New Jerrsey school districts, however, say they'll switch from in-person schools to remote instead of canceling school.

North Jersey and the lower Hudson Valley of New York state through much of Connecticut and northwestern Rhode Island are in the zone most likely to experience blizzard and whiteout conditions, according to AccuWeather. Winds can frequently gust between 40 and 50 mph, dropping the visibility to near zero at times at the height of the storm Wednesday night into Thursday morning, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
• Wednesday: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 31. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow, possibly heavy at times. Low around 24. Blustery, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 11 to 17 inches is possible.
• Thursday: A chance of snow, mainly before 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

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