New Snow Accumulation Estimates Released For NJ Weekend Nor'easter Storm

NEW JERSEY — Forecasters continue to predict that parts of New Jersey could see a foot of snow, heavy winds and coastal flooding this weekend. But this far out from the storm — expected to begin Friday night — those snowfall predictions could change significantly, according to the National Weather Service.

Much of South Jersey could get 8-12 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday night, the agency predicted Thursday morning. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service expects 6-8 inches of snow along the New Jersey Turnpike. Much of North Jersey could get 4-6 inches, according to forecasters.

See snowfall predictions below:

Confidence in the snowfall totals remains "very low," as it will depend on the track of the north-traveling storm, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency placed much of central and southern New Jersey under a winter storm watch from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service warns that travel could be difficult during that time.

Forecasters expect snow to begin Friday evening in South Jersey, moving northward into Saturday morning.

Northeast-to-north winds of 20-25 mph, with gusts of 40-50 mph, are possible during the storm, according to the National Weather Service. The gusts could get strong enough to damage trees and cause power outages.

Low wind chills for Saturday night could bring the rapid onset of frostbite on exposed skin. The windchills could dip below zero Saturday night, with potential values of minus 15 in northwest New Jersey.

Minor coastal flooding may also occur Saturday morning on the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay.

Here's the National Weather Service's North Jersey forecast as of 9 a.m. Thursday:

• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
• Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Light and variable wind becoming north around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Friday night: Snow likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 16. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of less than 1 inch is possible.
• Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. North wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 28.
• Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Here's the National Weather Service's South Jersey forecast as of 9 a.m. Thursday:

• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. South wind around 5 mph.
• Friday: A chance of rain after 1 p.m., mixing with snow after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
• Friday night: Snow, mainly after 7 p.m. Low around 20. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are possible.
• Saturday: Snow, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches are possible.
• Saturday night: A slight chance of snow before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 29.
• Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.