​Nor’easter Forecast In Barnegat: What To Expect

BARNEGAT, NJ — A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Barnegat on Wednesday, producing plowable snow or heavy rain and packing 35 to 55-mph winds.

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.

The NWS placed Barnegat under a coastal flood warning from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday, and a wind advisory from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

The Long Beach Township Police Department has advised residents to use caution while driving and move vehicles out of low-lying areas.

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 55 mph across the state between 7 a.m. on Wednesday and 7 a.m. on Thursday.

Here are expected precipitation 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.

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.

Here is the forecast:

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 3pm. High near 44. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday night: Rain before 8pm, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then rain after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Steady temperature around 40. Windy, with an east wind 30 to 35 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Rain likely before 8am, then a chance of snow between 8am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

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