NJ Weather: Nor'easter Winter Storm Watch Expands To 17 Counties

UPDATE: New estimates were released for the nor'easter snowstorm in New Jersey. Read more: Latest NJ Nor'easter Snow Update: 24 Inches, 55-MPH Wind Possible

NEW JERSEY – A "major" nor'easter that Gov. Phil Murphy is calling a "whopper" is expected to hit New Jersey this week, producing as much as 24 inches of snow and packing 50-mph winds.

Forecasters expanded the winter storm watch issued in the Garden State from 12 to 17 counties for a system the governor said will be New Jersey's worst in a "long time." A winter storm warning was issued for seven counties (see snow totals below).

The National Weather Service is now labeling the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it's expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Wednesday. These destructive storms typically "churn" over a wide area for a long period of time.

The storm will be fierce enough to knock down power lines and cause power outages and other damage, packing gale-force winds as strong as 35 to 50 mph across the state between 7 a.m. on Wednesday and 7 a.m. on Thursday.

AccuWeather says much of the storm is expected to pack its strongest punch after 1 p.m. on Wednesday:

Murphy, speaking during his Monday coronavirus news conference, said the storm shouldn't cause too many problems for Wednesday morning commuters but "your challenge is getting home."

"This has the potential to be a real whopper," the governor said.

Here is where the alerts were issued:

Col. Pat Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, spelled out the potential snow totals for each region of the state:

• North Jersey, north of I-78: 12 to 18 inches
• Central Jersey, Middlesex County to I-195: 4 to 12 inches
• South Jersey, south of I-195: 2 to 6 inches.

"If you don't have to be out there, don't be out there. And if you are, be prepared," Callahan said, adding that everyone should make sure their car gasoline tanks are full and their cell phones are charged.

Here are the expected snow totals:

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus outbreak.

"We still are far below peak road travel," Murphy said.

AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

AccuWeather is warning of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

AccuWeather also said Northern New Jersey and the lower Hudson Valley of New York state through southern New England "is the most likely zone to experience near-blizzard and whiteout conditions," adding: "In this area, winds can frequently gust between 40 and 50 mph, dropping the visibility to near-zero at times at the height of the storm Wednesday night into Thursday morning."

Here is the forecast:

• Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. North wind around 5 mph.
• Wednesday: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 28. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Wednesday night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of two to 14 inches possible.
• Thursday: A chance of snow before 8 a.m., then a chance of snow showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.