NEW JERSEY — Residents and holiday out-of-town guests with Friday travel plans are being urged to hit the road early as a winter storm is expected to spread snow, sleet and freezing rain across much of the state.
The National Weather Service said a winter storm watch will take effect Friday afternoon and remain in place until 10 a.m. Saturday for all but the southernmost counties, according to forecasters at the Mount Holly office.
Snow is expected to begin Friday afternoon, with conditions deteriorating into the evening. Areas south of Interstate 195 are forecast to see snow change over to sleet and possibly freezing rain, creating hazardous driving conditions. Farther north, precipitation is expected to remain primarily snow.
Forecasters warned that travel could become dangerous as visibility drops and road conditions worsen. Motorists are advised to delay trips if possible and to use extreme caution if travel cannot be avoided.
The heaviest snowfall is expected north of Interstate 195, where accumulations could reach 6 to 8 inches, with isolated higher totals possible. North Ocean County and northern Burlington County could see 4 to 6 inches of snow, while amounts decrease farther south.
Southern counties are expected to receive lighter snowfall due to the changeover to sleet, with Cape May County likely seeing less than an inch.
The storm is forecast to exit the region Saturday morning.
