NJ Weather Timeline: Here’s When Rain, Snow Is Expected Sunday

NEW JERSEY - Up to three inches of snow is expected to fall in parts of New Jersey Sunday afternoon as part of a “mini” storm system that could bring the first snow of the season to some Garden State residents, forecasters said.

Though the vast majority of the state is predicted to see mostly rain, a wintry mix of slush and snow is forecast for northwestern New Jersey near and north of the I-80 corridor, as well as the Poconos region, the National Weather Service said. Between 1 and 3 inches of snow is expected in the Garden State, while up to 4 inches of snow is slated for areas with higher elevations like the Pocono Plateau.

“Near the I-78 corridor, temperatures will be marginal with a period of wet snow possible at the onset before a change to rain occurs in the afternoon,” forecasters added in a discussion Saturday. “It’s possible there could even be a bit of sleet or freezing rain in the transition.”

Chilly temperatures will set the stage Saturday, with highs in the mid-40s dropping down to temperatures as low as around 25 degrees overnight, forecasters said.

Rain and snow are likely to hit the region by Sunday morning, forecasters said, with most of the snow to take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. A mix of precipitation will linger through the northwest portion of the state, while plain rain will fall until 10 p.m. around the rest of the state.

Temperatures on Sunday will feel vastly different depending on where you are in the state, forecasters said, ranging from the upper 40s to low 50s in southern New Jersey to low to mid 40s near the I-95 corridor to low to mid 30s over northwestern New Jersey.

As of Saturday afternoon, five New Jersey counties have been issued a hazardous weather outlook by the National Weather Service as minor coastal flooding will be possible Sunday. Gale-force winds and/or very rough seas are also forecast on Monday, the agency said. The affected counties are:

• Cumberland
• Ocean
• Burlington
• Cape May
• Atlantic

Experts are also warning of commuting delays and dangerously slippery conditions Sunday into Monday morning’s commute. According to AccuWeather, drivers heading into New York City and Philadelphia should prepare for delays, especially on stretches of I-80 and I-81. Airline delays are also possible, the weather service said.

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

North Jersey

Saturday:
Sunny, with a high near 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Sunday: Rain and snow likely before 10 a.m., then snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then rain and snow after 1 p.m. High near 35. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Sunday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. North wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

South Jersey:

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 35. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Rain. High near 48. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain likely before 4 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

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