Residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties are advised to prepare for a significant winter storm expected to bring snowfall and frigid temperatures this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued forecasts predicting accumulations of 4 to 5 inches of snow across various parts of the region between December 13 and 14. Meteorologist Alex Staarmann, based at the Mount Holly Station, indicated that the storm will likely commence late Saturday evening, between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Initial snowfall overnight is projected to blanket many areas with 2 to 4 inches, with some locations potentially receiving up to 5 inches. For coastal regions, the weather may begin as rain before transitioning to snow, complicating the conditions further. The final flurries of snow are expected to taper off by late Sunday morning or lunchtime.
Following the snowfall, residents should brace for a sharp drop in temperatures, plummeting into the teens overnight on Sunday. Staarmann emphasized that wind chill factors could make the air feel even colder, registering in the single digits. “It’s not going to be warm enough to melt any of the snow,” Staarmann noted. He added that while there may be some slushy conditions on roadways if sunlight emerges on Sunday, temperatures are forecasted to decline significantly thereafter, leading to any melted snow refreezing overnight.
The anticipated snowfall totals for specific areas include:
– Freehold: 4 inches
– Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst: 4 inches
– Long Beach Island: 2 inches
– Long Branch: 4 inches
– Mount Holly: 4 inches
– New Brunswick: 3 inches
– Toms River: 3 inches
Residents are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety, including clearing pathways, securing vehicles, and staying updated on the evolving weather conditions.
