2 Fast-Moving Storms To Hit NJ: See Snowfall Forecast, Timing

NEW JERSEY - A brief overnight winter storm is set to hit New Jersey Thursday night, ahead of another system slated to bring more snow accumulation to the region this weekend, forecasters said.

Thursday’s storm will begin as scattered rain and snow in the evening with strong gusty winds up to 40 mph lingering through Friday, per the National Weather Service. The storm’s impacts will be “limited” with half an inch of snow slated for northwestern New Jersey and the Poconos, the agency said, and is expected to wane by Saturday morning.

But snow lovers, fear not: more snowfall is on the way, according to several forecast models.

“After a brief lull later Friday, another low pressure likely brings accumulating snow to the region for Friday night,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said in a statement Thursday.

While it’s unclear just now much snow will drop across the Garden State Friday night, the National Weather Service expects widespread light snow from I-78 southward. South Jersey may see the snow accumulation it missed during Tuesday’s storm, with Friday bringing the “potential for at least a low-end advisory event near and south of Philly metro, perhaps even a bit more than that.”

AccuWeather meteorologists note that, though the quick-hitter won't produce prolific snowfall, it can still cause travel disruptions into the weekend. Philadelphia and Atlantic City are slated for 1 to 3 inches of snow during Friday's storm; a small accumulation of snow may reach as far north as New York City, though storm developments can still alter the path and strength of the impacts on the Garden State.

"An increase in strength and slower speed may also allow the storm to tap more moisture from the Atlantic, resulting in heavier snow," AccuWeather added. "A slightly stronger storm may also tug warmer air farther to the north and lead to rain instead of snow in part of the mid-Atlantic, such as the Delmarva Peninsula and southern New Jersey."

Here’s the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Thursday: Isolated snow showers after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 38. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Scattered snow showers, mainly between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow after 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow before 1 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Central Jersey

Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 40. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Scattered snow showers before 9 p.m., then scattered rain showers between 9 and 10 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Friday Night: Snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 28. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

South Jersey

Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 29. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow likely, possibly mixed with rain, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.