Forecast snowfall totals for the Shore area have risen in the latest round of National Weather Service updates, with Ocean County now predicted to receive either 8-12 inches of snow or 12-18 inches, depending on location.
Brick Township is located near the dividing line of the two forecast zones.
The timing of the storm’s arrival has remained consistent in the latest forecast issued Friday morning. Snow will begin between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday night and will be heavy at times, the blizzard warning statement said. The snow is then forecast to mix with – and possible change to – sleet and rain for a period of time during the day Saturday. The precipitation will then “quickly” change back to snow before Saturday night.
The snow will taper off early Sunday morning, the warning said.
An initial burst of snow Friday night and early Saturday morning will cause “whiteout” conditions, the warning said. As the storm continues, and the precipitation mixes, the snow will become heavy and wet – more dangerous to shovel and creating a larger risk for power outages as it weighs down trees and power lines. During the initial height of the storm, snow will fall at a rate of 1-3 inches per hour, according to the warning.
Winds will gust to 55 m.p.h., occasionally higher at the immediate coast.