Snow, Sleet Target NJ After Warm Respite, Forecasters Say

While New Jersey will get a break from the cold and snow this weekend, the state may get pounded with another storm early next week that could disrupt travel, forecasters say.

"Fresh Arctic air will set the stage for a storm early next week that could bring disruptive snow, ice and travel impacts from the Midwest to the Northeast," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, on Thursday.

New Jersey residents may get a taste of spring-like temps before that, but don't let Mother Nature fool you.

"Temperatures will briefly surge across the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and New England Saturday before plunging Sunday into Monday," Accuweather said. "In New York City, for example, temperatures will rebound to near 50 F Saturday afternoon, fall into the 30s Sunday and struggle to reach above the 20s Monday."

The higher temperatures may actually contribute to storms next week, meteorologists say.

"As warm, moist air collides with the Arctic air, widespread wintry precipitation can develop," Accuweather says. "Much of that precipitation may occur in the form of snow, sleet and freezing rain...the risk of travel disruptions will increase from Monday through Wednesday, depending on the storm’s exact track and strength."

Accuweather noted, "Major airport hubs from Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia to New York City, Boston, Detroit and Chicago could be affected."

The Forecast

The National Weather Service says temperatures in the Garden State may reach a high of 53 on Saturday, dropping to 31 at night.

As of now, there's a 50 percent chance of snow on Monday, and a 40 percent chance of rain and snow on Tuesday, NWS says.

"Uncertainty persists with regards to an area of low pressure that may move into the region early next week," they said, "producing another chance of wintry weather."