'Plan For A Slow Commute' During Winter Storm In South Jersey: Forecasters

SOUTH JERSEY — Although Tuesday's winter storm isn't expected to bring particularly harsh conditions to South Jersey, morning commuters should still be careful, forecasters said.

While parts of the state may get 18 inches of snow from Monday night into Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts primarily rain for inland South Jersey during that period. The rain could turn to wet snow, but accumulation will be minor, if anything, officials said.

• Related article: NJ Winter Storm Warnings Expanded, Timing To Impact Tuesday Commute

Nonetheless, the NWS's Philadelphia/Mount Holly office says that all drivers in the region could have a wet commute. The regional office almost all of the Garden State, including every bit of South Jersey, and portions of several Mid-Atlantic states.

"Regardless of exactly how much snow or rain you get tonight through Tuesday, the Tuesday morning commute will be either snowy, slushy, or wet for our entire area," the Mount Holly office said. "You should plan for a slow commute."

Near and along the Interstate 95 corridor, the shift from rain to snow will come around the time of the Tuesday morning commute, according to the regional office's forecast discussion. The precipitation should end from southwest to northeast from midday through late afternoon.

Camden, Gloucester and northwestern Burlington counties are under a coastal flood advisory until 10 a.m. Wednesday. The coastal flooding, combined with storm runoff could lead to moderate inundation in some areas along the Delaware River during Tuesday afternoon's high tide, the NWS said.

Minor coastal flooding could impact the area during high tides through Wednesday morning.

Here's the NWS's latest forecast for South Jersey:

• Monday night: Rain. Low around 34. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.
• Tuesday: Rain and snow, possibly mixed with sleet before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 41. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 25 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind around 15 mph.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.