Forecasters say drivers could face slick road conditions Thursday morning as a storm system brings light snow, sleet and freezing rain to parts of the region.
A combination of moisture and frigid temperatures could make driving dangerous Thursday morning in parts of northern New Jersey and neighboring Pennsylvania, forecasters say.
The National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for Sussex County, as well as Carbon and Monroe counties in the Poconos, effective from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.
A freezing rain advisory is in effect in Sussex County and other areas shaded in purple, and parts of Bergen and Passaic counties (shaded in tan) could get light snow and sleet Thursday morning. (National Weather Service)UPDATE: The freezing rain advisory has been extended through 2 p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters also say a light mix of snow and sleet is expected in Bergen and Passaic counties Thursday morning, and it could accumulate from a trace to 1.5 inches. The snow and sleet should mix with rain, then turn to all rain by noon, according to the weather service's New York regional office, which covers northeastern New Jersey.
Light freezing rain is expected to develop in Sussex County during the late-night hours Wednesday and continue into Thursday morning as a low-pressure system moves across the region from Great Lakes, according to the weather service's forecast office in Mount Holly.
"Travel will be treacherous as roads and walkways will be slippery," the weather service said in its advisory. "Be sure to use caution and leave plenty of time for travel in the morning."
Snowy winter in store for N.J.?
Temperatures are expected to hover in the low 30s, right around the freezing mark, with light easterly winds of 5 to 10 mph blowing. The weather service advises drivers in the advisory area to slow down and use caution.
As for the rest of the region, temperatures should remain high enough above the freezing mark to keep the precipitation as plain rain on Thursday, forecasters said. Some parts of northern New Jersey could get up to an inch of rain from this storm system before it moves away late Thursday night into early Friday morning.
As for the rest of the region, temperatures should remain high enough above the freezing mark to keep the precipitation as plain rain on Thursday, forecasters said. Some parts of northern New Jersey could get up to an inch of rain from this storm system before it moves away late Thursday night into early Friday morning.
Most of New Jersey is in dire need of substantial rain to help ease the drought conditions that have plagued the region since the late summer. On Friday, the state Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought warning in 14 counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.
A drought watch remains active for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem.
Under a drought warning, the DEP cannot impose mandatory water restrictions. However, the agency is strongly urging residents and businesses across the state -- even those who are not in the warning areas -- to voluntarily conserve as much water as possible.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.