Winter storm warnings were expanded overnight to include 11 New Jersey counties expected to see the heaviest snowfall as a powerful system moves into the region Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said snow is expected to begin Friday afternoon, Dec. 26, with conditions rapidly deteriorating during the Friday evening commute as snowfall intensifies.
Winter Storm Warnings are now in effect for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties, where total snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected, according to the National Weather Service briefing.
In parts of northern and western New Jersey, including Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties, snowfall totals could reach the higher end of that range, forecasters said. Heavy snowfall rates during the evening and overnight hours could make travel very difficult.
Snow is expected to continue overnight Friday before tapering off Saturday morning, with the storm winding down between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on location, according to the National Weather Service.
Eight other counties, including Camden, Burlington, and Ocean, are under Winter Weather Advisories, where 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet are expected, along with the potential for a light glaze of ice. In those areas, precipitation is expected to begin around 3 p.m. Friday and may mix with sleet or freezing rain Friday evening before ending Saturday morning.
"The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute," the National Weather Service said.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm is expected to taper off by Saturday morning, forecasters said.
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