Thursday has the potential for the heaviest snowfall of the season, according to the National Weather Service.
Freezing rain could affect the morning commute in parts of northern New Jersey Tuesday morning, but much of the state remains focused on the potential snowstorm still two days away that could drop 3 to 6 inches throughout the state.
Drivers should be extra cautious Tuesday morning as icing could create slippery conditions on roads and bridges in areas along and north of the I-80 until about 9 a.m.
The freezing rain advisory will remain in effect for both Sussex and Warren counties until 10 a.m. and for western Passaic County until 1 p.m. this afternoon.
(UPDATE: The freezing rain advisory for Sussex County has been extended until 1 p.m. because temperatures are struggling to warm above the freezing mark, the National Weather Service said. More rain is expected to fall between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., so it could turn into freezing rain when it hits the surface.)
Temperatures for the first six days of February have been relatively warm, averaging above normal -- and that trend should continue into Wednesday.
At 5 a.m., the mercury hovered at 36 degrees under cloudy skies in Newark while Toms River sat under cloudy skies at 46 degrees. The highs for both cities will reach 49 and 58 degrees today -- with clouds remaining and chances of rain.
Snow will develop far north around midnight Thursday, and the NWS is predicting snow to start developing Thursday morning around 10 a.m. around the I-95 area.
Slippery travel is possible for Thursday morning's commute with what the NWS is calling plowable snow. For areas near and northwest of the I-95, this could be the heaviest snowfall of the season so far.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report. Rajeev Dhir may be reached at rdhir@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @googasmammoo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.