Key Takeaways
- Winter weather alerts have been issued for five New Jersey counties, with up to 4 inches of snow possible on Tuesday
- The Tuesday morning commute will be most affected in the areas under weather advisories
- A glaze of ice is also possible, with the heaviest precipitation expected during the daytime hours Tuesday
- Temperatures will range from the mid-30s to near 50 degrees on Tuesday, with winds increasing to 20 to 25 mph
- Wednesday will bring dry conditions, with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-30s to low 40s
Introduction to the Winter Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for five New Jersey counties, including Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, Warren, and northern Passaic counties. The advisories are in effect for Tuesday, with up to 4 inches of snow possible in some areas. The storm will begin as snow northwest of I-95, with a transition to mainly rain from south to north from Tuesday morning and into the early afternoon. Some sleet may mix in during the transition, making for a potentially hazardous commute.
County-by-County Snow Forecasts
The National Weather Service has provided county-by-county snow forecasts, with the following accumulations expected: Hunterdon County, up to 1 inch of snow and a light glaze of ice; Morris County, up to 1 inch of snow and a light glaze of ice; Sussex County, 1-3 inches of snow with localized amounts up to 4 inches and a light glaze of ice; Warren County, up to 2 inches of snow and a light glaze of ice; and western Passaic County, 1-3 inches of snow likely. These forecasts are subject to change, but they provide a general idea of what to expect in each county.
Impact on the Tuesday Morning Commute
The Tuesday morning commute will be most affected in the areas under weather advisories, with the potential for slick roads and hazardous travel conditions. The National Weather Service has warned that impacts may be more significant than usual, even if observed snowfall amounts end up closer to the 1-2 inch range. This is because the storm will occur during the Tuesday morning rush hour commute, making it a particularly hazardous time to be on the roads.
Weather Conditions for the Rest of the Week
After the storm passes on Tuesday, the weather is expected to improve, with dry conditions and mostly sunny skies on Wednesday. High temperatures will be in the mid-30s to low 40s, with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph. However, another cold front will pass through the region on Thursday, ushering in a frigid airmass. The front could bring some snow showers near and north of Interstate 78, but the main impact will be the significantly colder temperatures that follow. Thursday night is expected to be the coldest night of the season so far, with lows dropping into the teens for most areas.
Uncertainty in the Forecast
There is still some uncertainty in the forecast, particularly with regards to another storm system that may impact the region on Friday night into Saturday. Current forecasts suggest the system will pass to the south and east, but specifics on rain versus snow are still unclear. Weak high pressure is expected to return on Saturday night into Sunday, but it is too early to say for certain what the weather will be like. As always, it is a good idea to check the latest forecast before making any plans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the winter weather forecast for New Jersey is looking potentially hazardous, with up to 4 inches of snow possible in some areas and a glaze of ice expected. The Tuesday morning commute will be most affected, with the potential for slick roads and hazardous travel conditions. After the storm passes, the weather is expected to improve, with dry conditions and mostly sunny skies on Wednesday. However, another cold front will pass through the region on Thursday, ushering in a frigid airmass. It is always a good idea to check the latest forecast before making any plans, and to exercise caution when traveling during hazardous weather conditions.