Winter Storm Alert: What to Expect in New Jersey

A big winter storm is heading to New Jersey. It will start this afternoon and bring snow, ice, and sleet. This storm will make driving very dangerous, especially during the evening rush hour on Friday. The snow is expected to begin between 1 p. m. and 3 p. m. in the northern parts of the state. The National Weather Service has warned that this storm will bring a lot of snow and ice. They have issued winter storm warnings for 11 counties. In these areas, there will be a lot of snow. For eight other counties, they have issued winter weather advisories. Here, the snow may mix with sleet and freezing rain, making roads slippery. The worst of the snow is expected to fall between 7 p. m. and 11 p. m. on Friday. In some parts of northern New Jersey, snow could fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This heavy snow could make driving very difficult on major roads like the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 78.The storm is moving fast and will affect travel plans. People heading out after Christmas should expect delays on roads and at airports. Across the northern half of the state, 4 to 8 inches of snow are expected. In higher areas, there could be up to a foot of snow. Areas near and north of Interstate 80 will see the most snow. South of Interstate 78 and northwest of Interstate 95, the snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain. For counties south of Interstate 195, expect 1 to 5 inches of mixed snow and sleet. There could also be a thin layer of ice along and west of the Delaware River. The snow should start to lighten up on Saturday morning, but there may still be some light snow or flurries until midday.