Coastal storm could bring major snowfall but how much? That's still up in the air
It's time to bring out the snow shovels, blowers and snow melt again with the forecasted arrival this weekend of yet another January winter storm.
The storm, expected to develop Thursday night over the Carolinas, is likely to reach South Jersey by 2 p.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service upgraded its winter storm warning to a blizzard warning Friday morning for coastal areas along the Jersey Shore and the region in western New Jersey along the I -95 corridor in South Jersey to a warning.
The weather service also raised projected snow accumulation totals for a potential of 18 inches or more at the shore.
A gale warning for winds 34 to 47 knots also was issued for the Atlantic coastal waters of New Jersey and Delaware and on Delaware Bay Friday night through Saturday night as well as a forecast of minor coastal flooding.
Alex Staarmann, a meteorologist in the weather service's Mount Holly office, said the current South Jersey forecast is for snow totals of six to 10 inches at the Jersey shore Friday with another round of heavy but more blustery snow Saturday that is forecast to bring an additional five to nine inches.
Lesser amounts will fall as the storm moves inland with six to eight inches closer to the shore and three to five or six inches or more as it reaches farther inland in places like Cherry Hill, Camden and also Marlton and Burlington City in western Burlington County.
He said the winds also will be a factor in making it feel even more frigid with temps falling below freezing Friday night into Saturday.
"It’s important to note the track of the storm is going to directly impact the snowfall totals. If it tracks a little west or east, it will affect the snowfall totals," Staarmann explained.
See projected inch counts: How much snow is expected in New Jersey this weekend?
“We’re expecting the highest totals to be near the coast and maybe even a bit inland. There should be light snow during the day on Friday, but the heaviest snow will be Friday night until mid-day Saturday."
The forecast calls for most of Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May to receive eight to 10 inches with amounts decreasing to the northwest as the storm moves north/northeast.
Strong winds may also generate blowing of what is expected to be a fairly dry snow, resulting in very little visibility at times, according to the weather service forecast .
This new snowstorm will be the fourth to blanket the region this month.
High temperatures Friday will be in the upper 30s for most of South Jersey, but once the storm starts temperatures will drop to the low 20s and it will become breezy with wind chills making it feel like the single digits.
"Saturday night it will feel like it's below zero," Staarmann said.
"There should be light snow during the day on Friday, but the heaviest snow will be Friday night until mid-day Saturday.
Many Saturday events are being canceled or postponed. These include a statewide job fair at ShopRite supermarkets. Burlington County is postponing its monthly food distribution event scheduled at the county emergency services training center in Westampton her until the following Saturday from 10 AM to noon at the same location at 695 Woodlane Road.
For the latest forecast visit https://www.weather.gov/phi
This story will he updated.
Carol Comegno loves telling stories about South Jersey life, history and military veterans for the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. If you have a story to share, call her at 856-486-2473 or email ccomegno@gannettnj.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: How much snow are we getting? 6 to 18 inches, depending on location
