NJ Weather: Latest Snow Total Estimates, Winter Storm Warning

UPDATE: At least 7 inches of snow have fallen and roads were deteriorating on Thursday. Read more: NJ Storm Impacts: Roads Deteriorating, Vaccine Delay As Snow Hits

NEW JERSEY - New details have been released now that the latest snow totals have risen for a winter storm that's expected to dump as many as 8 inches in New Jersey. The storm started on Thursday morning (see road impacts, forecast and snow total estimates below).

At least 7 inches of the snow had fallen by 11 a.m. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Snow Totals

Gov. Phil Murphy was to speak at 9 a.m. on Thursday and address the winter snowstorm and the impact it's having on roads and COVID. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Winter Snowstorm Update

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for 12 New Jersey counties and a winter weather advisory for the rest of the state.

The NWS says that snow and sleet accumulations could bring anywhere from 3 to 8 inches across the state and make a mess of the Thursday morning commute. More than 1 inch an hour could fall between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday.

"God knows we're getting another storm tomorrow, as if we needed it," Gov. Phil Murphy said on Wednesday.

Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, said the Burlington and Morris County mega-sites will be closed and the Somerset community-based site will be closed on Thursday.

The latest updates show that more snow than expected will fall in Central Jersey, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore, although those areas could also get a significant amount of sleet, freezing rain and ice that could make a mess of roads.

The storm could be a combined snow and ice storm, one that could knock down wires and cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are the expected snow totals for the storm:

Road impacts:

A speed restriction was imposed on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Exit 41 - CR561/Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Twp: 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.

A speed restriction was imposed on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from North of Interchange 7A - I-195 in Robbinsville to North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp: 45 miles per hour for Salting Operation.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 based on the forecast for heavy snow.

Snow was hitting overnight before the morning commute, with periods of heavy snow forecast during the day. Precipitation is expected to continue through the afternoon commute and into Friday. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states.

In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads on Thursday. The safest place to be is at home.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will begin at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

· I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
· I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
· I-295, from Exit 60 (I-195) north to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
· NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
· All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

· The New Jersey Turnpike
· The Garden State Parkway
· The Atlantic City Expressway
· I-76
· I-676

Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.

For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

Here's what you should expect:

• Snow is expected to develop early Thursday morning, and may become heavy at times through early Thursday afternoon (about 6 a.m. through 2 p.m.) when hourly snowfall rates rise up to 1 inch is possible.
• This is when road conditions would rapidly deteriorate and become hazardous, especially with temperatures below freezing.
• Snow will overspread the area early Thursday morning and continue through the day and also Thursday night at varying intensity. The heaviest snow is expected Thursday morning through early Thursday afternoon. Some sleet may mix in Thursday evening, mainly closer to the I-95 corridor. Light wintry precipitation will likely continue into the daytime hours on Friday.
• The bulk of the accumulating snow still looks to occur Thursday into Thursday night, with some lighter wintry precipitation lingering into Friday
• Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

AccuWeather forecasters said that tens of millions of Americans in the Northeast are facing a round of "travel-snarling snow" and ice that could leave hundreds of thousands without power. The storm brought heavy snow and ice to the Northwest soon after pushing in from the Pacific early this week, according to AccuWeather.

AccuWeather says a swath of 6-12 inches of snow is forecast from part of northeastern West Virginia through central Massachusetts and perhaps the southern tier of New Hampshire. There is the potential for a very snowy and difficult morning drive Thursday from the central Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic coast.

AccuWeather forecasters say motorists who have the option to postpone travel should consider waiting until this weekend when conditions may improve.

Here is the forecast:

• Thursday morning: A chance of snow, mainly after 4 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Thursday: Snow, mainly after 7 a.m. High near 29. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Thursday night: Snow. Low around 26. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Friday: Snow likely before 2 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Friday night: A slight chance of snow before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.