Winter Storm Warning: Half-Foot Of Snow Possible For South Jersey

SOUTH JERSEY — Inland South Jersey has been upgraded to a winter storm warning ahead of the weekend snowfall, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced Friday afternoon.

The NWS expects 4 to 6 inches of snow in the region from late Friday night into the next morning. The warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday and impacts Camden, Gloucester, Salem and northwestern Burlington counties.

"Travel could be very difficult," the warning says.

Snow may become briefly heavy late Friday night before tapering off early Saturday, the NWS said. Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour or greater are possible.

"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency," the warning says.

Metro Philadelphia will be the "sweet spot" for this weekend's snowfall, according to the NWS.

Forecasters expect snow to begin falling late Friday night before tapering off the following morning. The NWS issued a winter weather advisory for much of South Jersey, which runs from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May and southeastern Burlington counties. The region will receive 2 to 4 inches of snow, with local totals up to 5 inches.

Track NWS watches, warnings and advisories here.

Although the snow won't enter South Jersey until well after Friday evening's rush hour, AccuWeather warned of snow-covered highways during the weather event.

"The storm will create wintry travel along segments of Interstates 64, 66, 68, 70, 77, 78, 79, 81, 95 and 99, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway," AccuWeather said.

The snow will taper off from west to east during the morning and midday hours, according to AccuWeather. Afternoon sunshine will help the snow begin to melt on Saturday. But AccuWeather warned that any remaining snowmelt will freeze that night, when temperatures in the region dip below freezing.

"Motorists and pedestrians should be on the lookout for patches of ice as they may appear to be wet but, in fact, may be thin ice instead," AccuWeather said.

Here's the NWS's most recent forecast for inland South Jersey:

• Friday night: Snow, mainly after 1 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
• Saturday: Snow showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. West wind 10 to 15 mph.