Latest Timing, Snowfall Predictions For Post-Christmas Storm Hurtling Toward NJ

If you're planning to travel Friday, do it early. That's the message from the National Weather Service, which is continuing to predict a winter storm will bring as much as 8 inches of snow along with sleet and freezing rain to most of New Jersey.

A winter storm watch is in effect beginning Friday afternoon and through 10 a.m. Saturday for all but the southernmost counties in the state, according to the latest briefing from the Mount Holly office.

The precipitation will begin as snow but as the evening progresses, a transition from snow to sleet is expected south of Interstate 195, making for dangerous travel conditions, the weather service said. North of Interstate 195 it is expected to remain all snow.

"Persons should delay all travel if possible," the forecasters said. "If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination."

The largest snow accumulations are anticipated north of Interstate 195, with the possibility of localized amounts of up to 12 inches, the weather service said.

South of Interstate 195, the sleet will reduce the overall snow totals. The forecast is predicting 4 to 6 inches of snow in northern Burlington and Ocean counties, with the predictions dropping to 1 to 2 inches farther south.

Cape May County is expected to see less than an inch of snow.

The storm is expected to move out of the area Saturday morning.

See the latest timing below.

North Jersey

Friday: Snow likely after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

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

Central Jersey

Friday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Friday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with sleet before 1 a.m., then snow, possibly mixed with rain and sleet between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then rain and snow after 4 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 27. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday: Rain and snow before 10 a.m., then a chance of snow between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., then a chance of rain after 4 p.m. High near 36. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

South Jersey

Friday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m., mixing with sleet after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Friday Night: Snow and sleet before 10 p.m., then rain, snow, and sleet between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., then rain and snow after 1 a.m. Low around 29. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

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