New Brunswick, N.J. (Jan. 18, 2019) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick experts can provide insight on the mixed winter storm expected this weekend in New Jersey, as well as the relatively benign cold season so far.

A winter storm watch is in effect in parts of northern and northwestern New Jersey from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening, with heavy mixed precipitation possible. Five to 8 inches of snow is expected and a tenth of an inch of ice is possible, according to the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly Office. Snow, mixed precipitation and/or heavy rain are forecast elsewhere in the state. Up to 1.5 inches of snow fell in parts of New Jersey last night and this morning, according to New Jersey Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network weather observer reports.

“Ice totals could be as important as snow totals in some areas, due to the frigid Arctic air that will arrive in the storm’s wake,” said meteorologist Steve Decker, associate teaching professor and director of the Meteorology Undergraduate Program in the Department of Environmental Sciences.

“Snowfall has been below average so far this season, but not unusually so,” said David A. Robinson, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geography and the New Jersey State Climatologist since 1991. “However, geographically, the snowfall pattern has been unusual.”

Snow fell on Nov. 15 in northern and central New Jersey, Dec. 5 in Atlantic City and surrounding areas, Jan. 13 in southern New Jersey, and overnight in much of the state. Northern and central regions have received the bulk of their snow so far this season from the Nov. 15 storm, while the December and January 13 events were almost exclusively in the south. The Dec. 5 storm was even more localized – primarily up and down the Atlantic City Expressway corridor, according to Robinson.

“Temperatures ran below average in November, above average in December and several degrees above average in January so far,” said Robinson, who oversees the Rutgers NJ Weather Network and helps coordinate the New Jersey Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. “Nothing too noteworthy there, but the last half of January and perhaps February look to be rather cold and possibly stormy.”

Decker is available to comment at [email protected]

Robinson is available to comment at [email protected] or 848-445-4741.

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