Coastal Storm Still Expected To Hit New Jersey Wednesday, Thanksgiving

Family, turkey, and shovels.

Not exactly what many had in mind for the Thanksgiving holiday, but likely what New Jersey will face come midweek.

The National Weather Service has placed a winter storm watch in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, as a coastal storm moves its way into the state.

Snow is expected to accumulate over the 24-hour period throughout the state, with totals of 4 to 8 inches in northern New Jersey; heavy rain and a rain-and-snow mix along the coast; and heavy rain with the possibility of mixing with snow in the southern portion of the state.

For some areas, the precipitation may begin as a rain-and-snow mix before turning over to all snow, the National Weather Service said.

Hazardous travel conditions – on one of the busiest travel days of the year – is expected throughout the state.

The exact impact on New Jersey and Pennsylvania is unknown at this time, but Mid-Atlantic AAA estimates 1.2 million New Jerseyans will travel this holiday week 50 miles or more. AAA Mid-Atlantic urges holiday travelers to refrain from driving, if possible, until the storm completely passes and it is safe to travel again.

Most travelers, 89 percent, will choose to drive to their holiday destination, causing massive traffic woes and delays on the roadways. “Wednesday can turn into a chaotic and frightening scene of events on the roadways along the East Coast if the weather is as bad as predicted,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “With more than one million travelers in New Jersey taking to the roads, AAA is advising motorists to heed all travel warnings or stay home until road conditions improve.”

Airline bound travelers could also face long delays and cancelled flights along the storm’s path. Travelers scheduled to fly out of town are advised to check the status of their flight before attempting to leave home.

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