Monmouth Co. Now Under Blizzard Warning Until 7 P.M. Saturday

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — As of Friday morning, the snow warning issued for Monmouth County has now been upgraded to blizzard status for Friday night into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Blizzard conditions are expected with total snow accumulations of 8 to 15 inches, with 4 to 11 inches further inland. Winds could gusts as high as 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The blizzard warning is in effect for the coastal counties of New Jersey, and coastal sections of Sussex County in Delaware. The warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Snow is expected to begin on Friday evening, with snow becoming heavy after midnight. The most likely time for blizzard conditions is late Friday night through midday Saturday. Blizzard conditions are primarily expected at or within a few miles from the coast.

This is looking like it may be more of a coast storm, with heavier snow predicted along the coast but still snow expected for Central, Northern and Southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

The snow will wind down everywhere Saturday afternoon, forecasters predicted.

The NWS upgraded this storm to blizzard status at 3:23 a.m. Friday. You can read their alert here. In their alert, they specifically mentioned the towns of Rehoboth Beach, Freehold, Sandy Hook, Jackson, Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island and Wharton State Forest as vulnerable to blizzard conditions. This storm has turned into a powerful Nor'easter that is causing blizzard-like conditions off the coast of New Jersey in the Atlantic Ocean.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

According to the National Weather Service, the affected areas are:

• Delaware beaches
• Western and Eastern Monmouth County
• Ocean County, particularly along the coast
• Atlantic County, particularly coastal Atlantic County
• Cape May County, particularly along the coast
• Southeastern Burlington County

Say Middletown police: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

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Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com