NJ Weather: Update On Possible Coastal Storm In NJ Forecast

NEW JERSEY — A coastal storm could hit New Jersey this weekend, providing rain, a wintry mix and some snow to the Garden State. But forecasters say they expect much of the system's worst impacts to head out to sea.

The National Weather Service says snow could fall across New Jersey beginning Friday night and into Saturday morning, and a wintry mix could last until Sunday morning. But if the storm continues to push out to sea, it's possible that the Garden State will get nothing.

The combination of rain and snow could make roads slippery Friday night and Saturday morning, especially at 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.:

More light snow could fall in North Jersey, and rain is expected to fall Saturday at the Jersey Shore and South Jersey as the coastal storm is expected to clip the state.

More snow could fall Sunday morning when temperatures drop:

AccuWeather is actually calling the storm a possible "nor'easter" that, if it were to move closer to New Jersey, could lead to significant rainfall and flooding in the region.

Indeed, a rapidly strengthening storm that hugs the coast would generate gusty winds for a time and has the potential to become a strong nor'easter this weekend, according to AccuWeather. Heavy precipitation would pound the East Coast as northeasterly winds buffet the coastline should a powerful nor'easter take shape, according to AccuWeather.

The storm could strengthen quickly enough to be classified as a bomb cyclone, according to AccuWeather.

The path of the southern storm will depend on whether a second, weaker storm cruising along the border of Canada and the U.S. will impact New Jersey, according to AccuWeather.

The rain would fall from the Georgia coast to the Carolina and Virginia Piedmont and central Delaware to southern New Jersey, according to AccuWeather. All rain or mostly rain would fall in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, with rain and perhaps some wet snow for Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City.

The National Weather Service, however, says that a nor'easter will likely not happen. Here is what New Jersey should expect from Saturday to Monday:

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 42. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
• Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 36. East wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind.
• Friday night: A slight chance of rain and snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Saturday: A chance of rain and snow between 7 and 10 a.m., then a chance of rain after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Saturday night: A chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.