More NJ Snow Now Less Likely As State Of Emergency Remains

NEW JERSEY — Forecasters say chances are falling that another major snowstorm is coming to New Jersey while a state of emergency following a major nor'easter remains.

The nor'easter belted the state for three days, coming ahead of what state officials warned on Wednesday could be another storm bringing a "measurable" amount of snow, state officials said.

That storm could arrive as early as Sunday afternoon or as late as Monday night, but NWS forecasters on Thursday said chances are increasing that the system will move south of New Jersey and head out to sea.

AccuWeather also initially warned that there is a chance that cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Philadelphia, could endure "another significant snow event." But AccuWeather said on Thursday that it is now "skeptical" of that scenario.

The National Weather Service says another snowfall could possibly hit New Jersey as early as Thursday night, and then either remain as snow or change to rain on Friday morning. Wind gusts could reach 25 mph.

But little to no accumulation is expected, forecasters say.

The state will provide more information on the potential for the next storm during its Friday news conference, State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan said.

"Sunday could bring more measurable snow," Callahan said. "We're certain of the bitter cold temperatures that will come in next week behind that."

The state of Emergency remains in effect while roads are being cleared after the major nor'easter dropped 35 inches of snow on some parts of New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said. See related: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

"I would caution everyone when you're out on the roads or walking in your communities as high snow piles may inhibit some visibility," Murphy said during a news conference. "Nighttime temperatures may turn some snow melt into ice."

During the last storm — which Murphy said "vies for the most accumulation of any in the history of the state" — New Jersey State Police responded to about 2,600 calls for service, including 918 crashes, according to Callahan.

"The fact that we have black roads out there, and the fact that we had so few power outages, it was a remarkable effort by thousands of people," Murphy said. "It was an extraordinary effort. The veracity of a storm like this and to be sitting here largely moving around pretty close to normal is a testament to those folks."

Murphy said totals seen in the storm that lasted from Sunday through Tuesday was more than a storm that was seen the day after Christmas in 2010, and rivals 1996 and 1899 for the highest snow total in the state's history.

The Blizzard of 1996 also brought more than 30 inches of snow to some parts of New Jersey. The Great Blizzard of 1899 dropped 52 inches on Vernon Township, according to NJ Spotlight.

Here is the forecast:

• Thursday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Thursday night: A chance of snow, mainly after 3 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.
• Friday: Rain and/or snow, becoming all rain after noon. High near 41. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Saturday: A slight chance of snow after 4 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
• Monday night: A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Tuesday: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
• Wednesday: A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 31. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.