Rain And Wind, Then Snow Possible In Western Monmouth: See Forecast

MONMOUTH CO., NJ — After a rainy, windy week in western Monmouth County and around the Garden State, residents will have a bit of a break this weekend before chilly air brings a forecast of flakes ahead.

Winds from the storm earlier this week left thousands without power, and there are more gusts on the way. Rain falling overnight Friday into Saturday will continue to swell local rivers and streams, said the National Weather Service.

Flooding along coastlines and rivers, and gusty winds of more than 50 miles per hour, are also still possible into Saturday.

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, with up to a foot of water gathering above ground level in low-lying areas near tidal waterways and shorelines.

Saturday will be mostly sunny after a chance of rain in the morning, said NWS forecasters. Highs will be in the mid-50s, but it will be windy most of the day.

"There will be a lull in the winds early Saturday morning before shifting to the west and increasing again with gusts near 40 to 50 mph," forecasters said.

As we move into the new week, temperatures begin to drop, and there is a chance of snow in the forecast for Martin Luther King Jr. Day as forecasters have their eye on some dangerously cold arctic air that could head to New Jersey early next week.

The cold blast is currently making its way "across western and central Canada and will soon sweep into the western and central United States later this week before reaching the East by midmonth. Energy demands will surge, and the cold may be so severe as to put those exposed at risk for serious health concerns, while frozen pipes may lead to extensive property damage," AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

The threat for New Jersey is more likely from Monday night through Wednesday when the cold air mixed with our recent flooding could cause issues in the area.

"The eastward expansion of the Arctic air could make for a real mess where flood waters linger and then freeze. Similar problems could occur along some secondary roads where runoff continues in the wake of the big rain and wind storm from Friday to Saturday," according to AccuWeather.

While snow is possible in New Jersey, the amount will depend greatly on the track of the storm as it makes its way toward the Atlantic coast.

Here is an extended forecast for western Monmouth County from the National Weather Service:

Friday Night: Rain. A slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Rain may be heavy at times. Very windy and not as cool with lows in the lower 40s. Temperature rising into the mid 50s after midnight. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, increasing to 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. A chance of rain in the morning. Breezy and not as cool with highs in the mid 50s. Temperature falling into the lower 40s in the afternoon. Southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear and breezy, colder with lows in the lower 30s. West winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the evening.

Sunday: Sunny, cooler with highs in the lower 40s. Temperature falling into the upper 30s in the afternoon. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Colder with lows around 20.

Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day): Partly sunny. Cold with highs in the lower 30s.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow after midnight. Cold with lows in the mid 20s. Temperature rising into the upper 20s after midnight. Chance of snow 30 percent.

Tuesday: Snow likely. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow in the evening. Brisk, cold with lows 15 to 20. Chance of snow 50 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and brisk, cold with highs in the mid 20s.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows 10 to 15. Wind chill values as low as zero.

Related article:

• Another Storm Headed To NJ Friday, Then Arctic Blast: Latest Details

Patch's Alexis Tarrazi contributed to this report.