Light snow may turn roads icy during frigid Thursday morning commute

National Weather Service forecasters are warning drivers to be aware of the possibility of icy roads Wednesday night into Thursday morning due to rain showers that are expected to change to light snow as temperatures drop.

“Icy roads are possible during the Thursday morning rush hour,” the New Jersey Weather Service forecast office posted on Facebook and

Although ice could form almost anywhere in the Garden State, forecasters say the highest likelihood will be in areas north and west of Interstate 95.

Precipitation will begin as rain Wednesday as a low pressure system moves into New Jersey, but a strong cold front will quickly drop temperatures from the 40s to the 30s and then into the 20s overnight across most of the state, forecasters said.

This will cause light rain to change to light snow before ending before dawn Thursday.

Only a light dusting of snow is expected, but that could be enough to create slippery roads, the weather service noted.

“The occurrence of rain before snow can reduce the effectiveness of pre-treatment or prevent it, thereby increasing the risk of icy roads,” the agency said.

Temperatures will start off mild on Wednesday, but will cool as the storm system moves through the area.

The weather service said northwest winds blowing behind the system would push temperatures into the low 20s by dawn Thursday, creating conditions similar to New Year’s Eve, when roads became extremely icy in the region.

Light snow showers could persist in higher elevation areas during the day Thursday, the weather service said.

Friday will bring brief high pressure with gusty southwest winds possible and conditions improving, but air temperatures will remain cold throughout the day – stuck in the low 30s.

A complex pattern is expected to develop this weekend, with a disorganized series of frontal systems moving through the region, which could bring chances for light snow or rain with a much colder air mass developing over New Jersey through early next week.

Temperatures on Saturday will be in the 30s to 40s, with a slight chance of light precipitation, forecasters said.

High temperatures on Sunday will drop into the 30s, with below average temperatures expected for early next week.

By next Tuesday, high temperatures will only reach the 20s, with wind chills possibly dropping to the single digits by Monday evening.

Current weather radar

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