​Nor’easter Forecast In Berkeley: What To Expect

BERKELEY, NJ – A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Berkeley 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 Berkeley under a coastal flood advisory from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday.

Berkeley shared information from Suez Water, advising residents to have ample emergency supplies, such as flashlights, batteries, food and water.

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: A slight chance of rain and snow before 1pm, then rain. High near 42. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday night: Rain before 5am, then rain, snow, and sleet likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 28. Windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.

Thursday: A chance of snow, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. North wind around 5 mph.

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