Rain is expected to change to snow around midnight as temperatures drop across the Garden State. Watch video
Just days after most of those giant snow mounds from the January blizzard melted into oblivion, another batch of snow may be on the way.
Forecasters say some moisture from the storm system that just dropped heavy rain across most of New Jersey is expected to swing back around off the Atlantic coast Thursday night, bringing more rain that will switch over to snow as the temperatures drop below the freezing mark around midnight.
By the time it's all over, some sections of eastern and southern New Jersey could end up with 2 to 4 inches of snow on the ground by sunrise Friday, said Rob Reale, a meteorologist at WeatherWorks in Hackettstown.
"It's going to be a heavy wet snow," Reale said. "The worst of it, fortunately, will probably be over by 6 a.m.," before the morning rush hour.
UPDATE: Snow expected to last through Friday morning commute
While the whole state is expected to get some snow, only a dusting is likely in the northern and northwestern counties, Reale said. About 1 to 3 inches could fall across much of central and southern New Jersey, with higher amounts likely in Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic counties.
Heavier, wet snow is less likely than light powdery snow to stick on most road surfaces, but the National Weather Service is warning drivers there could be some slick spots on the highways Friday.
"Some accumulating snow is possible into Friday morning, which could result in light accumulations and locally slippery conditions," the weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook issued Thursday.
Most areas shaded in dark purple are under a winter weather advisory from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, and some from 1 a.m. to noon Friday. (National Weather Service) UPDATE: At about 3:30 p.m., the weather service issued a winter weather advisory for all of New Jersey, except for Sussex, Warren and northern Passaic County. The advisory is effective from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday in most of northern and central New Jersey and from 1 a.m. to noon in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May and Cumberland counties.
The weather service said 2 to 4 inches of snow could accumulate in some areas, with the highest amounts on unpaved surfaces. Also, the snow could linger through the morning rush hour and "could cause slick spots, mainly on secondary roadways as well as on sidewalks."
Stormy weather next week?
Forecasters are expecting a dry weekend to follow the Friday morning snow, but they are keeping a close eye on two weather systems that could impact the Garden State late Monday or early Tuesday.
A clipper system from Canada might sweep across New Jersey and bring some snow, Reale said, and depending on the timing it might combine with a weak coastal system that could develop off the Atlantic coast.
"It's definitely something to watch," Reale said. But he noted it's too early to pinpoint the track and strength of the two systems and know for certain whether they will merge.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.