By: Richard L. Smith
It is just above freezing in Newark early this morning as the region experiences a brief calm ahead of a significant winter storm expected to impact parts of New Jersey later this weekend.
Forecasts indicate that some areas could see close to a foot of snow once the system moves in.
The storm is expected to arrive Sunday and may linger into Monday, raising questions about potential travel and schedule disruptions.
In anticipation, many New Jersey municipalities have already begun storm preparation efforts.
As of 4:30 a.m. in Newark, conditions remain dry but cold. Residents heading out early are advised to bundle up and prepare for winter-like conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, today will be mostly sunny with a high near 33 degrees.
Wind chill values are expected to range between 20 and 25 degrees, with west winds of 6 to 14 mph and gusts up to 26 mph.
Tonight, skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 9 degrees.
Wind chill values could fall between -5 and 5 degrees, with northwest winds of 10 to 14 mph and gusts reaching 24 mph.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of today and Saturday to prepare ahead of Sunday’s storm.