Sleet, Slippery Commutes, And Up To An Inch Of Rain Predicted For Maplewood Friday: NWS

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The morning and evening commutes could be slippery if a prediction from the National Weather Service for "several hours of freezing rain, sleet, and snow" Thursday and Friday bears out.

What's more, in a town and county that suffered fatalities from flooding last September, three quarters to one inch of rain are forecast for Thursday night, about half of what was initially predicted for Tropical Depression Ida.

A hazardous weather outlook for Essex County from the National Weather Service says: "Rain
Thursday night will change to a wintry mix from northwest to southeast, with several hours of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. This will lead to ice accretion on any untreated surfaces, making travel hazardous potentially for both the morning and evening commutes on Friday."

The current National Weather Service forecast for Maplewood says:

Thursday Night: Showers. Low around 31. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 6 to 8 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: Rain showers, freezing rain and sleet, possibly mixed with snow showers before 4 p.m., then snow showers and freezing rain likely. Temperature falling to around 29 by 5 p.m. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Snow showers likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 7 pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Get the most recent forecast for Essex County here.

Area residents can report storm-related outages or downed wires directly to their utility providers at the numbers listed below.

• JCP&L: 1-888-544-4877 or online http://www.firstenergycorp.com.
• NJAW: 1-800-272-1325
• PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734

Why is flooding getting worse in New Jersey? Read more here.

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