NJ State Of Emergency Declared Ahead Of Nor’easter

NEW JERSEY - Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency in New Jersey ahead of a massive snowstorm expected to bring up to 18 inches of snowfall to the state.

Statewide average accumulations are expected to range between four inches to one foot.

“We are preparing for a significant statewide snow event,” Murphy tweeted Friday shortly before noon. “Blizzard Warning: Monmouth, Ocean, Eastern Burlington, Atlantic, and Cape May counties Winter Storm Watch: Sussex and Warren counties The rest of the state is under a Winter Storm Warning.”

At a weather briefing at 11:30 a.m., Murphy declared a state of emergency in New Jersey, effective 5 p.m. Friday. A commercial vehicle travel restriction will also be put in place today, the governor said.

State offices will also close at 3 p.m. ahead of the storm.

Related: Ride NJ Transit Trains, Buses? Here's The Plan If Snowstorm Hits

"We're certainly hoping for the best, but we are, without question, preparing for the worst," Murphy said.

"Our advice to everyone is to be prepared to hunker down once you get home this afternoon and stay home. Stay home tonight and stay home tomorrow. Whatever you may need to get through a snow day, get it on your way home today so you do not have to venture out."

Tough travel conditions, power outages and low visibility is expected on the roadways Friday evening through Saturday, Murphy added.

"We're going to have to ask you all for a big dose of patience, because this storm ... is going to have a long tail. Even through the sun may be shining on Sunday, we're going to need some time to dig out from this thing."

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

A blizzard warning is currently 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."

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."

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'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.