Snow, Wind Gusts Could Hit Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — A winter storm making its way into New Jersey could leave behind up to 5 inches of snow in the Chatham area, according to National Weather Service predictions.

In Chatham on Friday night after 1 a.m., the National Weather Service forecasts up to 2 inches of snow could be left behind as the storm begins. As Saturday starts, the snow is expected to continue until about 1 p.m., with up to 5 inches possible through its end. Saturday's portion of the storm could also deliver wind gusts up to 30 mph.

Morris County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the storm, Director Jeffrey S. Paul said in a statement emailed to Patch, about the upcoming weather conditions. Paul called it “too early to lock in a prediction based on the uncertainty of the storm and lack of confidence models.”

Some models show between 1 and 4 inches, he said. Other models have between 3 and 6 inches, if the storm shifts west, with less snow possible in the county’s western sections.

The early portion of the storm on Friday morning, he said, leaves the Office of Emergency Management with few concerns, as it starts with light snow and a mix of rain.

“The main attraction is a more concerning model that we have shifted our attention to and will continue to keep a close eye on,” Paul wrote. “The data suggests that we will see a transition in the late afternoon/evening on Friday to snow continuing through the early morning on Saturday.”

Ahead of the storm, the county has closed its COVID-19 testing center at County College of Morris on Saturday. The center expects to reopen on Sunday.

Chatham Township posted this reminder to social media followers about snow plows and salt trucks. Drivers need to slow down and move over for plows:

See the National Weather Service forecast below through Saturday:

Friday: A chance of light snow, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 35. West wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 17. North wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow. High near 22. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 9. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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