Severe NJ Weather, 70-MPH Winds In Christmas Week Forecast

UPDATE: This story has been updated. The storm is now expected to have 70-mph wind gusts. Read more: NJ Weather: Timeline Of Christmas Eve Storm, 70-MPH Wind Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Severe weather is expected to impact New Jersey this week, making for a possibly white — but, more likely, wet and windy — Christmas Eve and Day and even causing flooding, black ice and other problems.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for most of the state, saying a strong low-pressure system and cold front will move across the region later in the day on Christmas Eve and then last through early Christmas Day.

The weather will bring the potential for excessive rainfall and gusty winds. Heavy rain will quickly melt any remaining snowpack, resulting in the potential for flooding, according to the NWS.

At the Jersey Shore, winds could be as strong as 50 mph, according to the NWS.

There is a chance of snow falling in New Jersey on Christmas Day, mostly in North and Central Jersey, by 1 p.m.

Any residual standing water may freeze on Friday as temperatures drop below freezing, possibly causing black ice hazards for those trying to drive home on Christmas.

The Murphy administration, of course, is advising that people stay home on Christmas and not travel to see people or hold gatherings. Read more: Gov. Murphy Warns Against Big NJ Gatherings Over Holidays

AccuWeather says the dramatic weather changes are set to give many "a case of weather whiplash," causing heavy rain that will be followed by a bitter blast of cold air and even some snow from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.

Even though a big amount of snow is not expected to fall on the storm's backside, a coating of up to a few inches of snow, combined with plummeting temperatures, can lead to a rapid freeze-up and dangerous road conditions from the Appalachians to the north, according to AccuWeather. A layer of ice may form beneath the snow on paved and concrete surfaces and roads.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday: Cloudy through midmorning, then gradually clearing, with a high near 44. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Thursday: A chance of rain, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible.
• Thursday night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 45. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.
• Christmas Day: Rain before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain — and snow showers in the north and central areas — between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. High near 45. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.