Bomb Cyclone Snow Forecast Updated In NJ: See Expected Totals

NEW JERSEY - Forecasters say a powerful storm with “bomb cyclone” potential is expected to make its way to the Garden State in the wee hours of Saturday morning, bringing with it strong winds, rain and snow.

AccuWeather meteorologists note that the storm could undergo "bomb cyclone" status, meaning a low-pressure area that undergoes rapid, "explosive development" strengthening.

Rain will begin late Friday into early Saturday morning with a gradual shift from rain to snow northwest of the I-95 corridor, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Saturday will likely see temperatures plummet from 40 degrees earlier in the day to the teens at night. The rapid temperature drop and brief period of snow across the state will make icy road conditions on Saturday likely, the National Weather Service said.

Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph could lead to scattered tree and utility damage, the agency added.

While South Jersey is expected to see less than an inch, northwest New Jersey could see up to six inches. If colder air arrives a bit earlier, “northern New Jersey may end up with higher snowfall totals than previously forecasted,” the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.

Sussex and Warren counties have already been issued a winter storm watch, effective Saturday morning through Saturday evening.

“Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph,” the National Weather Service said. “Plan on slippery road conditions.”

Here’s the latest forecast:

North Jersey

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Low around 40. Calm wind.

Saturday: Rain before 2 p.m., then rain and snow between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., then snow after 3 p.m. Temperature falling to around 31 by 4 p.m. Breezy, with a northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Blustery, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

South Jersey

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Low around 44. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Rain before 3 p.m., then snow. Temperature falling to around 31 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Blustery, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.