A significant winter storm is poised to move through the region on Friday, threatening to disrupt travel across Ocean County and the broader Tri-State area with a combination of heavy snow, sleet, and ice.
In the Lakewood area, conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly as the storm develops during the day on Friday. Forecasters are calling for a 75 percent chance of precipitation overnight, with total snow accumulations in the Lakewood area estimated between 3 and 5 inches.
The storm is part of a larger system impacting much of the Northeast. In New York City and Northern New Jersey, widespread snowfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected, with localized amounts potentially reaching up to 8 inches along the I-287 corridor. Farther north and west, portions of the Catskills and northeastern Pennsylvania could see significantly higher totals, with a narrow band of 6 to 12 inches possible and isolated areas exceeding that range.
Areas to the south and west of Lakewood are expected to experience a more hazardous mix. Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia region are forecast to see sleet and freezing rain mixing in after an initial period of snow, increasing the risk of icy and treacherous road conditions. Philadelphia is currently projected to receive 1 to 3 inches of snow before the changeover to ice.
Snow is expected to arrive in the New York City metropolitan area around 7 p.m. Friday, although light flurries could begin as early as mid-afternoon. The heaviest impacts are anticipated Friday night into Saturday morning, with precipitation tapering off by approximately 10 a.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service is warning that road conditions could deteriorate rapidly Friday evening, particularly as temperatures fall and untreated surfaces freeze. Travelers are advised to complete trips before sunset on Friday…