NJ Weather: Winter Weather Advisory In 6 NJ Counties

NEW JERSEY – A winter weather advisory has been issued for six New Jersey counties as the region gears up for what's supposed to be its most significant weather system in weeks. Snow is expected in some areas, but the real problem was expected to be freezing rain Thursday and possibly Friday, forecasters say.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Passaic, Morris, Somerset, Warren, Sussex and Hunterdon counties. A hazardous weather outlook was issued for the rest of the state, and a flood watch was also issued.

The winter weather has led to some delayed openings at schools. Stay updated on possible school schedule changes here: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List For Thursday.

Heavy rain – much it freezing in North Jersey, and some snow in Sussex County – was expected to begin falling after 8 p.m. on Wednesday and could last well into Thursday. Precipitation could last throughout Thursday and into Friday, however, particularly in Central Jersey, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore.

Those areas impacted by a flood watch were to expect light rain to begin to spread into the region on Wednesday night and intensify later in the day on Thursday. Periods of heavy rain can be expected to persist into Friday morning. The heavy rain threat will end Friday afternoon. Amounts up to three inches are possible, the NWS says.

Here are the alerted areas:

Here is what you can expect in areas that are under a winter weather advisory:

• Freezing rain is expected. Total ice accumulations of one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch.
• Portions of northern and central New Jersey are impacted.
• The advisory is in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday evening until 10 a.m. Thursday.
• Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.
• Freezing rain amounts will likely be higher in elevations above 1,000 feet. However, small amounts remain possible down to valley floors.

In areas impacted by a hazardous weather look, rain is expected to be heavy at times, and the precipitation could last into Thursday night and until Friday morning. It could lead to localized flooding.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday afternoon: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
• Wednesday night: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Low around 34. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday: Rain. High near 50. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 43. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Friday: Rain, mainly before 1pm. High near 49. East wind 6 to 16 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.
• Saturday night: A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Sunday: A chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
• Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
• Monday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

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