And you thought it was time to put away those snow shovels?
Despite a warming trend this week, harsh winter weather and blizzard-like conditions consisting of heavy snow, coastal flooding and high winds is expected to come roaring back for the weekend.
More than a foot of snow is possible on Sunday and Monday during what the National Weather Service is warning could be a “significant winter storm.” It issued a blzzard warning at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.
Snowfall is expected to exceed 12 inches in many locations of New Jersey. But there is a growing possibility the storm will blanket the Cape May County shore area with 12-18 inches of snow. The Atlantic City area may get hit with 12-18 inches of snow, according to the forecast.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of New Jersey. At the shore, the Blizzard Warning is in effect from Sunday morning to 6 p.m. Monday
Precipitation is expected to begin on Sunday, continuing into Sunday night and Monday morning before tapering off on Monday afternoon.
Strong northeast winds will begin to increase on Sunday and persist through Monday, possibly into Monday night. Wind gusts of as much as 55 mph are possible along the coast.
Adding to the misery will be flooding at the shore in Atlantic and Cape May counties. A Coastal Flood Watch has been issued from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.
Moderate coastal flooding of one to two feet above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
“At moderate levels, widespread roadway flooding occurs in coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal waterways. Many roads may become impassable and some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur,” the weather service said.
Additional minor coastal flooding may continue with high tide cycles on Monday, according to the forecast.
The harsh conditions expected this weekend offer another blast of dangerous winter weather just as storm-weary South Jersey residents were starting to recover from the snow and icy conditions in the past few weeks.
The NWS next briefing will be issued at 5 p.m. Saturday. See weather.gov/phi
