NJ Weather: Snow, Wintry Mess In Forecast: Here's When, Where

UPDATE: NJ Weather: Winter Weather Advisory In 4 NJ Counties For Snow

NEW JERSEY – That rainy mess that's plagued New Jersey is supposed to get worse now that winter weather is expected to hit the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says snow is possible Tuesday night, lasting into Wednesday. As many as 3 to 5 inches could fall in parts of New Jersey, though most of the state will likely get no more than 1 or 2 inches (see expected snow totals below).

The weather could be hazardous enough to close schools or delay openings. Come back here to check: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List For Wednesday

The NWS says much of the state will likely get at least a wintry mix or rain, and the winter weather is most likly expected to hit during the Wednesday morning commute.

How much snow will fall and stick will depend on how cold it gets.

Temperatures were expected to be in the 50s – and maybe even the 60s – on Monday and possibly on Tuesday, but a drastic cool-down is expected by Tuesday evening after 6 p.m.

Here is what is expected:

Here is the high-end prediction:

Along the I-95 corridor, the drive home Tuesday is likely to be wet, but the Wednesday morning commute is likely to be wintry, according to AccuWeather. Snow may create slick roads from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore to Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City and Boston.

Exactly how much snow is able to accumulate on roads is dependent on how quickly these surfaces cool and the intensity of snowfall, according to AccuWeather. Most road surfaces will have had a chance to warm up through Tuesday, along with the surge of warmer air.

The roads will tend to retain some warmth for a time even as the colder air and snow arrive, according to AccuWeather. Initially, some of the snow is likely to melt as it falls on warmer surfaces, but elevated surfaces such as cars, lawns, decks, porches, bridges and overpasses are likely to become snow-covered much faster than city streets and main highways.

Here is the forecast:

• Monday afternoon: Rain. High near 56. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Monday night: Rain, mainly before 1am. Low around 53. Southwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tuesday: Rain. High near 61. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Tuesday night: Rain, and some snow in North Jersey. Low around 32. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Wednesday: Rain and/or snow likely before 10am, then rain likely between 10am and 4pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.