N.J. weather: Heavy snow, gusty winds to hit parts of state Monday. Latest forecast.

UPDATE: N.J. declares state of emergency for 7 counties due to snow from winter storm

The southern half of New Jersey will bear the brunt of a fierce winter storm expected to dump 4 to 8 inches of snow across several counties with a shot at hitting 8 to 12 inches in southern Cape May County.

School districts have already started to make announcements about closures and delays for Monday.

All of New Jersey is expected to see some snow, but totals north of I-78 are likely to be less than 1 inch. Central New Jersey counties are expected to get 1 to 3 inches.

The forecasted amounts for those areas were lowered slightly in an update at 4 p.m. Sunday from the National Weather Service.

Snowfall totals, however, were increased for parts of South Jersey – notably with 8 to 12 inches in parts of Cape May County, where heavy snow is infrequent.

• Snow total predictions from 9 forecasters for Monday’s winter storm

“A small shift in storm track however could push heavier snow, and therefore higher totals, either north or south,” the weather service said in its latest storm briefing.

AccuWeather’s snow forecast also updated Sunday to include parts of southern New Jersey in a zone where 6 to 12 inches is expected.

Forecasters have consistently targeted South Jersey for the highest snowfall totals as the massive storm approached over the last two days.

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for those 7 counties starting at 1 a.m. Monday.

WINTER STORM WARNINGS

• Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester and southeastern Burlington counties: 1 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches.
• Cape May, Cumberland, Salem counties: 1 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES

• Ocean and northwestern Burlington counties: 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches.

Snow is now expected to start around 3 a.m. in South Jersey and march north through dawn into central counties. Snow will hold off until later Monday morning in North Jersey.

Snow is expected to end for the northern half of the state by Monday afternoon, but could continue past midnight for much of southern New Jersey where the highest snowfall totals are expected.

Wind chills overnight will be in the single digits and high temperatures through Friday are expected to remain below freezing.

“North to northwest winds increase Monday night and Tuesday with gusts 30-45 mph, resulting in areas of blowing and drifting snow,” the weather service said. “Wind chill values will be in the single digits and teens.”

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