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With a significant winter storm is set to blanket New Jersey with substantial snowfall this weekend, with the National Weather Service has updated it's snowfall predictions for Sussex County and the Tri-State.
The storm, expected to begin Saturday night, could dump between 11 to 15 inches of snow across northern New Jersey, making it potentially the largest snowstorm to impact widespread areas of the state since January 2021, according to NJ.com.
Winter storm warnings will take effect at different times across the state. For most northern counties, the warning begins at 1 a.m. Sunday and continues through 1 p.m. Monday. However, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties will see warnings active from 3 a.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday. Central and southern sections will have warnings starting earlier, at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"Prepare for a significant winter storm, bringing potential for considerable disruption to transportation and daily life Sunday into Sunday evening from heavy snowfall, high snowfall rates, and near whiteout conditions," warns the National Weather Service in its latest briefing.
The heaviest precipitation is expected Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon. In addition to heavy snow, forecasters caution that snow may mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain as warmer air pushes into the region, especially in southern New Jersey and coastal areas.
Central New Jersey and areas near Philadelphia may see around 12 inches of snow, while southeastern counties are predicted to receive 8 to 12 inches due to more mixing with sleet and freezing rain. AccuWeather forecasters are offering a slightly more conservative estimate of 6 to 12 inches across most of the state and 3 to 6 inches in the southeastern corner.
This storm is part of a snow-heavy season for New Jersey, with some northern towns having already received close to 25 inches of snowfall this winter, as reported by the Courier Post.
The system is developing near Texas and will move up the East Coast over the weekend. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty noted, "This has the potential to be one of the most impactful storms of the winter, especially when factoring in the large scale of the storm."
Officials are warning residents about dangerous driving conditions, reduced visibility, and potential power outages from ice buildup that could damage trees and power lines. Those in affected areas are advised to prepare for travel disruptions and possible power outages through Monday.