Snow Possible In NJ As Arctic Blast Arrives

A blast of Arctic air is set to freeze New Jersey Thursday, bringing with it snow and the potential for dangerous snow squalls, according to the latest forecast.

The cold front moves through the state Thursday and could bring some snow showers along and north of I-80, National Weather Service forecasters said.

"While this should generally be not impactful, the snow squall parameter is not zero, so a few squalls reaching the far northern part of our area cannot be ruled out," the National Weather Service said.

Squalls can cause conditions to change suddenly, creating danger for those on the road.

"Major highways and secondary roads can be coated in snow, and visibility can be drastically reduced in a matter of seconds, creating slippery and dangerous driving conditions," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said. The best option is to avoid driving during squalls; otherwise, it's recommended to leave the highway and wait for squalls to pass.

The rest of the state will see brisk winds and frigid temperatures.

By daybreak Friday, it should start to snow. However, the snow will be light and focus more on the southern portion of the state. Those along the coast will see a mix or just rain, forecasters said. There will be a sharp cut-off for precipitation, according to the National Weather Service, which looks to be along I-195. Most snow accumulations will remain south of that, though there is not a lot expected.

"By Friday night, the low will quickly depart and move into the western Atlantic causing most precipitation to cease," National Weather Service forecasters said. "However, some isolated areas of light snow or rain may linger into Friday night, especially for areas near the coast."

Temperatures will warm slightly for the weekend, but still remain below normal.

By the middle of next week, a clipper-style storm may bring some snow again to New Jersey.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Friday: A slight chance of snow after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 27. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

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

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26

Central Jersey

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 39. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night: A chance of snow before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.

South Jersey

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north after midnight.

Friday: A chance of snow, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of snow before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.