NJ Weather: Forecasters Eyeing Possible Snow This Week

The first real snowfall of the winter could hit New Jersey this weekend since the chances of a storm have increased. The state's first experience with rough weather is expected on Thursday.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued throughout New Jersey, saying scattered wind gusts hitting 40 MPH are possible for Thursday since temperatures are supposed to drop into the 20s. Then, there is the potential for snow on Saturday night and Sunday, according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service is predicting that an inch of snow – or more – is expected to hit most of New Jersey. The Cape May and Atlantic County area could get as many as 3 inches since the storm is coming from the South.

"The potential for snow has increased," said Dean Iovino, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

As the storm heads eastward, snow will spread into the southern Appalachians Saturday evening and toward the Jersey Shore after 5 p.m. on Saturday night, according to AccuWeather. Slow, slippery and dangerous travel conditions are expected to unfold in these areas.

The storm could strengthen dramatically along the coast and turn northward, producing heavy snow in the Northeast, according to AccuWeather.

It appears less likely that a snow storm in the Great Lakes region will merge with the storm from the South. If that happens, New Jersey could get near blizzard-like conditions, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Isolated snow showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a northwest wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.
• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33.
• Saturday night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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