Forecasters are closely monitoring a major winter storm set to impact New Jersey this weekend, with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly issuing a Winter Storm Watch for the entire state. After a week of arctic air, this system could deliver the most significant snowfall to the Garden State in years, starting Sunday and continuing through Monday afternoon.
According to the latest NWS briefings, confidence is high that New Jersey will sit in the core of the heaviest precipitation. Current projections suggest a wide swath of 12 to 18 inches of snow for central and northern New Jersey.
Projected Snowfall Totals by Region
The storm’s final track remains the biggest variable, but current models indicate:
- Northern & Central NJ: Widespread totals of 12–15 inches are possible, with localized amounts reaching up to 24 inches in a “reasonable worst-case scenario.”
- Southern NJ & I-95 Corridor: Residents can expect 8–14 inches, though mixing with sleet and freezing rain could reduce totals along the coast.
- Coastal Areas: Significant snow is still likely, but a slight northward shift could introduce more rain, limiting accumulation to the lower end of the forecast.
Timing and Hazard Outlook
The first flakes are expected to arrive late Saturday evening. The heaviest snow will fall throughout Sunday, leading to snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour.
- Travel: Conditions will be hazardous to impossible by Sunday afternoon. The NWS warns that the Monday morning commute will be severely impacted.
- Power Outages: In areas where sleet or freezing rain mixes in, up to 0.10″ to 0.20″ of ice is possible, which may lead to downed trees and utility disruptions.
- Extreme Cold: Following the storm, an arctic airmass will keep temperatures well below freezing, with wind chills dipping into the single digits through Wednesday.
Forecasters note that even a 50-mile shift in the storm’s track could drastically change totals. Residents are urged to complete storm preparations—including checking emergency kits and clearing storm drains—before Saturday evening.
