The Jersey Shore could receive between 4 and 8 inches of snow – most likely about 6 inches – between Wednesday night and Thursday evening, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
A winter storm warning has been issued for Ocean County and the remainder of coastal New Jersey from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday.
According to the warning from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, a coastal storm will track closer to the coast than earlier expected. The warning calls for winds to gust to 45 m.p.h. during the storm, which could lead to blowing and drifting snow, as well as fallen tree branches that could lead to power interruptions.
“Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Thursday,” the warning said.
While the warning begins at 9 p.m., snow is expected to move in mainly after 1 a.m. overnight. The snow will then continue into Thursday.
The overnight low will be 24 degrees and Thursday’s high will be 29 degrees, meaning there is no chance to the snow mixing with ice or rain.
The biggest threat will be a loss of power, the NWS said.
“Scattered power outages could develop Thursday and Friday which would force considerable hardship where heat would not be available,” said the warning notice.