NJ Blizzard, Winter Storm Warnings Issued Ahead Of Nor’easter

NEW JERSEY — Up to 18 inches of snow are expected for some parts of New Jersey as a massive snowstorm is forecast to hit the Garden State on Friday evening into Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A blizzard warning is in effect for five New Jersey counties from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Saturday, the agency said Friday. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 15 inches are expected, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph. The counties affected are:

• Cape May
• Monmouth
• Atlantic
• Burlington
• Ocean

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the National Weather Service said. "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”

According to the weather agency, a blizzard has winds at or above 35 mph that cause blowing snow, reducing visibility to quarter-mile or less for at least 3 hours.

“Whether or not the snow falls during the time of the blizzard, dangerous conditions can result,” the agency said.

Another 13 New Jersey counties have been issued a winter storm warning, which will be in effect from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. Heavy snow is expected with total accumulations between 3 to 7 inches. Wind gusts as high as 35 to 40 mph are also anticipated. The affected counties are:

• Morris
• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Essex
• Union
• Middlesex
• Mercer
• Salem
• Bergen
• Passaic
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Cumberland

Coastal flooding is also possible at the Jersey Shore, as “up to one foot of inundation above ground level [is] expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways,” according to the National Weather Service.

“At this level, flooding begins on the most vulnerable roads in coastal and bayside communities, and along inland tidal waterways,” the service said. “Some partial or full road closures are possible.”

Gov. Phil Murphy, whose plans to travel to the National Governors Association Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., were delayed due to the storm, is to hold a weather briefing at 11:30 a.m.

A state of emergency had not been declared as of 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Snow is expected to begin light on Friday evening, with heavier accumulations occurring after midnight.

“The most likely time for blizzard conditions is late Friday night through midday Saturday,” the weather service said. “Blizzard conditions are primarily expected at or within a few miles from the coast. Snow will wind down Saturday afternoon.”

Here are the expected snow totals across the state, according to the National Weather Service:

• Asbury Park: 12-18 inches
• Atlantic City: 12-18 inches
• Morristown: 4-6 inches
• Toms River: 12-18 inches
• Trenton: 6-8 inches
• Vineland: 8-12 inches

Here’s the latest forecast for the weekend:

Friday: A chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and a chance of rain and snow after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Friday night: Snow, mainly after 7 p.m. Low around 20. Blustery, with a north wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible.

Saturday: Snow, mainly before 4 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches are possible.

Saturday night: A chance of snow before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as minus 6. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch is possible.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 29. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.