Widespread Snow Total Forecast Rises As Powerful Winter Storm Hits NJ

Three more counties are under winter storm warnings as of Friday morning ahead of a strong storm system expected to drop up to 12 inches of snow, along with sleet and freezing rain to New Jersey.

The northern part of the state is where snow totals are expected to be highest, the National Weather Service said. It was predicting 6 to 8 inches with more in upper elevations, with 4 to 6 inches elsewhere in the state. "Confidence in snowfall amounts is moderate," the service said.

Somerset, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties joined eight North Jersey counties already under winter storm warnings beginning at 1 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Warnings had been issued Thursday for Warren, Sussex, Morris, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties.

Winter weather advisories, beginning 3 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday, remain in place for coastal Monmouth County, along with Hunterdon, Mercer, Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties. Atlantic and Cape May counties are not under advisories as of Friday morning.

The storm remains on track for precipitation to begin early Friday afternoon, with heavy snow and sleet expected to affect the Friday evening commute.

".Travel could be very difficult," the weather service said. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency."

Snow could fall at up to 1 inch an hour, especially north of Interstate 80, the weather service said.

In the central and southwestern portions of the state, the mix of snow and sleet will make for slippery driving conditions. Predicted snow totals are 4 to 6 inches for those areas.

Atlantic and Cape May counties are expected to see possibly an inch of mixed snow and sleet, the weather service said.

The latest timing of the storm is below.

North Jersey

Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 5 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday night: Snow, possibly mixed with sleet, becoming all snow after 11 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 21. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before 9 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 30. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Calm wind.

Sunday: A chance of rain after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Central Jersey

Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than 1 inch possible.

Friday night: Rain, snow, and sleet before 3 a.m., then rain likely, possibly mixed with snow between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of rain after 4 a.m. Low around 28. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 7 a.m., then a chance of snow between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind.

Sunday: A chance of rain after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

South Jersey

Friday: A chance of snow between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then sleet likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday night: Rain and sleet, possibly mixed with snow before 2 a.m., then a chance of rain. The sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 31. East wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of rain, mainly before 9 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 39. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: A chance of rain after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.