Winter Weather Advisory Issued for 3-5 Inches of Snow Before Change to Rain

Snowfall predictions for the Feb. 18-19, 2021 storm. (Credit: NWS)

Coastal Ocean County continued to escape the winter storm warning that has been posted for nearly every other portion of New Jersey, but the Shore area will not come out unscathed from Thursday’s winter storm, forecasters said.

According to the National Weather Service, snow will move in after 4 a.m. Thursday and continue as such until 1 p.m., when the precipitation will become a mix of rain, snow, and sleet. The NWS forecasts the mix will change to all rain by 3 p.m. as temperatures reach a daytime high of 35 degrees. Especially near the coast, there is also the possibility for wind gusts up to 30 m.p.h.

Rain is forecast to continue Thursday night, ultimately changing back to snow for a period of time by Friday morning, when the low will dip to 31 degrees. The snow will then change back to rain by 9 a.m. Friday as the storm exits the region. By Friday night, there is still a small threat of a snow or rain shower.

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“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the NWS advisory statement said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning, Thursday evening, and Friday morning commutes.”

The snow may be heavy at times Thursday morning, and during the period of the wintry mix, some of the precipitation may come in the form of dangerous freezing rain, which quickly makes driving hazardous. One-tenth of an inch of ice may accumulate on top of 3-5 inches of snow, though the ultimate snow totals will likely decrease as rain moves in.

The entire weather system will be gone by Saturday, which will be mostly sunny with a high near 35 degrees, the NWS said.