Winter Storm Watch In Morris County: What To Know

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — It's no secret that this winter has been mild, but that could change this weekend, as the National Weather Service predicts a weekend winter storm that could bring snow to Morris County.

A Code Blue Weather Emergency is currently in effect for Morris County and will last through the weekend as the National Weather Service warns of dangerously cold temperatures in the region, officials said.

The code blue is in place until Jan. 8, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to officials.

AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting that this storm will likely end New Jersey's almost two-year-long snow drought.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management said that this morning air temperatures were around 32–35 degrees and colder surfaces can begin to see a light dusting of snow.

Right now, the National Weather Service says there’s a 75 percent chance of 2 or more inches of snow falling in the northern and northwestern regions of New Jersey, including Morris County.

The National Weather Service also predicts that 6 to 12 inches of snow will fall in northwestern New Jersey during the storm, which is scheduled to arrive on Saturday afternoon or evening and last until Sunday.

Read More: Latest NJ Snow Total Predictions For Impending Winter Storm

"A coastal system will bring widespread precipitation to our region. Snow and some mixed precip will occur northwest of I-95. The immediate urban corridor is unlikely to experience anything more than a wet coating of snow," said the National Weather Service (NWS) Mount Holly.

Local police in Morristown said they were in the midst of winter storm preparations, advising locals to stock up on emergency supplies in their homes and automobiles in preparation for the storm.

The Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance can also help with temporary shelter assistance, warming center assistance, rental assistance and utility assistance.

During business hours, many public libraries, shopping malls and senior centers serve as warming centers. These locations are intended to serve as a temporary location for a person to warm up, not as a shelter.

The new after-hours Code Blue emergency hotline is 2-1-1.

Officials offered several safety tips for residents. They include:

• Keep the house heated to a minimum of 68 °F. The temperatures inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 68 °F will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
• Identify the locations for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.
• Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent them from freezing.
• Check on seniors to make sure that they are warm and dry.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Check all windows and doors for drafts. Place plastic if you feel a draft.
• Do not leave space heaters unattended.
• Do not use generators indoors.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Take inventory of emergency items.

"Please continue to monitor the local forecast and make preparations now," Morristown police said.

Take a look at the upcoming forecast:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low of around 22. Blustery, with a north wind of 10 to 20 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain and sleet before 1 a.m., then snow likely, possibly mixed with rain. Low around 31. Blustery. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m., then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. The chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.