Big snow, ice storm getting closer and could cause whiteout conditions. Latest forecast maps, travel concerns.

A major winter storm moving through many states will arrive in New Jersey shortly after midnight Saturday, bringing the possibility of a foot of snow to the northern region of the state and a half-foot or more to many other areas.

Forecasters and public officials are urging drivers not to hit the roads on Sunday. They are warning residents not only because of the snow, but also because they are concerned that sleet and freezing rain during this severe storm could make the roadways dangerously slippery.

With snow falling at a high rate and some wind blowing the snow, drivers could experience whiteout conditions at times, forecasters noted.

Additionally, authorities are concerned about the possibility of a heavy layer of frost on trees and power lines, which could cause isolated power outages.

“There is high confidence in major impacts from snowfall, sleet and ice accumulations across much of the region, making travel very difficult and potentially leading to widespread closures and impacts to infrastructure,” the National Weather Service said Saturday.

All 21 New Jersey counties will be under a winter storm warning beginning shortly after midnight and continuing through Monday afternoon, due to heavy snow, sleet and hazardous driving conditions.

The weather service expects about 8 to 14 inches of snow in most of northern New Jersey, 6 to 12 inches of snow and sleet in many areas of central New Jersey, 6 to 8 inches of snow and sleet in much of South Jersey and 4 to 6 inches of snow and sleet in far South Atlantic counties, Cape May and Cumberland.

Forecasters say ice ranging from a tenth of an inch to a quarter of an inch thick could form on roads, sidewalks, trees and power lines, primarily along the Interstate 95 corridor and in the southern region of the state.

Ice this thick could cause tree branches to break and impact power lines.

During the morning and Sunday afternoon, snow could fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, the weather service said.

Other forecasters say some areas could at times see snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour before the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain.

Storm warning times, snow forecasts in every county

• Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem and Somerset – Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall and mixed precipitation are expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 6 to 10 inches and accumulations of ice on a tenth of an inch. Ice buildup on power lines and tree limbs can cause tree damage and power outages.

• Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and eastern Passaic – Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall expected. Snow may mix or turn to sleet Sunday evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 8 to 12 inches. A brief change to light freezing rain with light sleet could occur Sunday evening.

• Western Passaic – Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 14 inches. Sleet may briefly mix with snow Sunday evening.

• Atlantic and Cape May – Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall and mixed precipitation are expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch. Winds gusting up to 35 mph.

• Sussex and Warren – Winter storm warning from 2 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 10 to 14 inches.

Current weather radar

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