Nor’easter Forecast In Mercer County: What To Expect

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A “major" nor'easter is expected to impact Mercer County on Wednesday, producing more 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 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 additional 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.

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: Snow, mainly after 3 p.m. High near 34. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday night: Snow before 1o p.m., then snow and sleet between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Snow likely after 4 a.m. The snow and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Northeast wind 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Thursday: A chance of snow before 10 a.m., then mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind 15 to 20 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than 1 inch possible.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.