NJ Weather: Bomb Cyclone Threatens Snow, High Winds This Weekend

NEW JERSEY - A “strong storm system” is headed to New Jersey just in time for the weekend, bringing with it light snow, strong winds, heavy rainfall and the potential for a “bomb cyclone,” forecasters say.

The storm is expected to hit the state Friday night through Saturday night with rain accumulation and wind gusts up to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Average rainfall should total one inch, although parts of New Jersey could see up to 2 inches of precipitation.

Areas north of the I-95 corridor will likely see a dusting to an inch of snow, the National Weather Service said (but snow totals could reach up to 3 inches if temperatures remain chilly enough, per NJ.com). The northeastern portion of the state could see between 2 to 3 inches of snow, per the agency’s New York station. South Jersey could see snow Saturday night, according to the Mount Holly office.

Temperatures are also likely to drop into the 10s and low 20s on Friday night, with wind chills in the single digits, paving the way for icy roads and sidewalks Saturday.

AccuWeather notes that the storm could undergo “bomb cyclone” status, meaning a low-pressure area that undergoes rapid, “explosive development” strengthening.

The “bomb cyclone” effect is most often felt during strong winds, which is what AccuWeather forecasters say is in the cards.

Coastal flooding, reduced visibility, blowing snow/rain, localized power outages and travel delays are also possible Saturday through Saturday night. Tree damage is also possible, especially after Monday night’s storm weakened limbs, AccuWeather says.

"Confidence is growing for a significant storm that will bring wide-reaching impacts," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said in a forecast report. "Winds across the entire East Coast will be very gusty Saturday and Saturday night.”

The National Weather Service also notes that patchy black ice could be an issue for drivers during Thursday morning’s commute, especially in the north and westernmost parts of the state. Thursday should be mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 40s and low 50s.

Here’s the latest forecast:

North Jersey

Thursday: Areas of fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Light and variable wind.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light and variable wind.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Mix of rain and snow, mainly before 4 p.m. Temperature rising to near 46 by 10 a.m., then falling to around 36 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Windy.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

South Jersey

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 4 a.m. Low around 41. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 53. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 15 to 25 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Blustery.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 39.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.