Winter Storm Warning For Warren County

MORRIS, NJ — A winter storm warning has been issued for Warren, Morris, and Sussex counties as a nor'easter begins to dump snow on the region. Residents can expect up to 10 inches of snow overnight into Saturday as heavy, wet snow falls.

The National Weather Service issued the alert beginning at 9:35 a.m. on Friday and lasting until 4 a.m. on Saturday. The warning is an upgrade from the winter weather advisory the agency issued Thursday afternoon. There is also a hazardous weather outlook and a flood watch in effect until Saturday morning.

Friday morning's rain has begun to transition into snow, the NWS says, and will fall heavily. Some towns could see 1 to two inches per hour in higher elevations. The brunt of the storm is expected Friday afternoon, before tapering off in the evening and overnight hours.

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In total, high elevation towns could see up to 10 inches of snow, while lower elevation towns could see anywhere from 4 to 8 inches. Snow will be matched with high winds, up to 50 miles per hour at times, and could create "near whiteout conditions," the NWS says.

"The heavy wet snow and the strong wind will likely cause damage to trees and utility lines with numerous power outages likely at higher elevations," the NWS says. As of 11:19 a.m., 2,391 homes in Morris, 6,031 in Sussex and 601 in Warren are without power.

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Drivers should brace for a messy commute home on Friday. Visibility will be limited to half a mile during the worst of the storm, the NWS is predicting.

The weather should clear up by mid-day Saturday. You can check out a full forecast here.

AAA urges motorists to exercise caution when traveling during the storm. AAA also urges both motorists and homeowners to understand what their auto and homeowners insurance coverage and claim process in the aftermath of a flood.

"Many motorists view rain storms as more of an inconvenience than a hazard," said Jana L. Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "As a result, drivers tend to be less cautious than they should be. The most important steps to take when driving in wet weather are to buckle up, slow down, and keep a safe distance from the car in front of you." Find more AAA driving tips here.

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