Snow Possible Friday In New Jersey

March's identity crisis will continue Friday with a chance of snow in New Jersey, according to forecasters.

And, according to AccuWeather, it could be our last chance of snow until next winter.

The Weather Channel is calling it a "brief winter reality check." The end-of-the-week winter weather follows a span of unseasonable warmth, with temperatures reaching into the 70s on four days since Feb. 23.

But spring is not quite ready to arrive yet.

Accuweather says the "nuisance snow" could fall across much of northern and central New Jersey Friday morning, dropping a dusting enough to coat non-paved and grassy surfaces and make things a little slippery.

The snow is not anticipated to cause widespread disruptions to travel and daily activities, forecasters with Accuweather said.

As far as timing goes, the National Weather Service predicts snow showers are possible after 8 a.m., mixing with rain after 11 a.m. It will be cold, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

While the National Weather Service predicts just a 30 percent chance the snow will materialize, here's the good news: "Given the recent warmth and increasing angle of the sun, much of the snow is expected to melt immediately after reaching the ground," according to AccuWeather.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued, but it largely warns that wind gusts could approach 60 mph on Friday afternoon.

And then, after that, AccuWeather predicts that there is little to no chance that snow will fall in March as temperatures are expected to eventually rise into the 50s and 60s next week.

Drivers should still use caution, however.

"In areas where snow briefly falls moderately and/or falls at night, isolated slick spots may develop especially on bridges, overpasses and less-traveled roads,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.

Precipitation is possible throughout the day Friday, the NWS said. A chance of rain and snow showers is possible Friday before 8 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy, then gradually become clear, with a low around 20.

Here is the forecast:

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.

Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 10 to 16 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Patch file photo