In general, the most dangerous driving spots are expected in Bergen, Morris, Sussex, Warren and western Passaic counties. Watch video
For New Jersey commuters, the December fun is over -- at least for one day.
Drivers could face slick, and dangerous, road conditions Monday night and early Tuesday morning in northern and western counties, thanks to a storm that will be delivering a nasty mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain before changing to all rain as temperatures rise from the low 30s to the upper 30s. Added to the mix are steady winds that could gust as high as 29 mph in some parts of the Garden State.
Areas shaded in purple have a winter weather advisory in effect from Monday night through Tuesday morning. (NewJerseyWeather.com) Depending on where you live or travel, the conditions will vary. In general, the most dangerous driving spots will be in Bergen, Morris, Sussex, Warren and western Passaic counties, according to the latest winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
Although some snow or sleet could mix in with plain rain in northern sections of central New Jersey, driving conditions in that region aren't expected to be hazardous because the snow and sleet isn't likely to accumulate, the weather service said Monday morning.
Here's a look at the weather service forecasts for different sections of New Jersey.
WESTERN PASSAIC COUNTY (updated 4 p.m.)
ADVISORY: Winter weather advisory in effect from 8 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A prolonged period of sleet and freezing rain is expected during these hours, leaving 1 to 2 inches of sleet on the ground, along with a trace of ice.
HAZARDS: The National Weather Service says roads and sidewalks could be slippery, especially in higher elevations. "Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities," the weather service said in its advisory. "Use caution while driving."
BERGEN COUNTY and EASTERN PASSAIC COUNTY (updated 4:30 p.m.)
ADVISORY: Winter weather advisory in effect from 3:20 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected during these hours, leaving up to 1 inch of sleet and a trace of ice on the ground. All precipitation is expected to change to rain Tuesday morning, sometime between midnight and 6 a.m.
HAZARDS: The National Weather Service says roads and sidewalks could be slippery, especially in higher elevations.
PLUS: Warm temps hurting area ski resorts
SUSSEX COUNTY (updated 4 p.m.)
ADVISORY: Winter weather advisory in effect from 3:40 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Some light sleet could start falling late Monday afternoon, possibly mixing with snow for a brief period. The wintry mix will change over to freezing rain overnight. Freezing rain could linger until the late morning on Tuesday. Accumulations of up to 1 inch of sleet is possible, along with about a tenth of an inch of ice.
HAZARDS: Roads and sidewalks could be slippery, especially in higher elevations.
MORRIS COUNTY and WARREN COUNTY (updated 4:30 p.m.)
ADVISORY: Winter weather advisory in effect from 7 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Some light sleet might begin late this afternoon, then sleet is expected to overspread the area tonight, possibly mixed with rain. Precipitation will change to freezing rain and rain through the overnight hours, becoming all rain by sunrise Tuesday. Less than a half inch of sleet could accumulate, along with "a very light glaze of ice," according to the latest weather service advisory.
HAZARDS: Roads and sidewalks could be slippery, especially in higher elevations.
SOMERSET COUNTY (updated 4 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for Somerset County. However, some sleet could mix in with rain Monday night.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain and sleet expected Monday night, with sleet possibly accumulating up to a half-inch. Precipitation will become all rain after 1 a.m., with the low temperature about 35 degrees. Winds may gust as high as 25 mph. Rain, possibly heavy at times, is likely Tuesday morning before noon, followed by showers in the afternoon, with a high near 47.
HUNTERDON COUNTY (updated 4:30 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for Hunterdon County. However, some sleet could mix in with rain Monday night.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain likely Monday night, with sleet mixing in. Precipitation is expected to change to all rain after midnight. Rain may be heavy at times Tuesday morning, and winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY (updated 4 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for Middlesex County. Sleet was in the earlier forecast, but it is no longer expected in this area.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain is likely Monday night, with temperatures dipping to the upper 30s and wind gusts up to 30 mph. Rain is expected Tuesday morning, followed by showers in the afternoon and highs in the lower 50s.
MERCER COUNTY (updated 4 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for Mercer County. Sleet was in the earlier forecast, but it is no longer expected in this area.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain is likely Monday evening, mainly after 9 p.m., with winds at 14 mph to 18 mph and a low of 37 degrees. Rain, possibly heavy at times, is expected Tuesday morning, followed by showers in the afternoon.
ESSEX COUNTY and UNION COUNTY (updated 5 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for these counties, as of 5 p.m. Monday. However, some sleet and freezing rain could mix in with plain rain Monday night.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A mix of rain and sleet is likely Monday evening, then plain rain after midnight. Little or no sleet accumulation is expected. Rain should continue Tuesday morning and through most of the afternoon.
HUDSON COUNTY (updated 5 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for Hudson County, as of 5 p.m. Monday. However, some sleet could mix in with rain Monday night.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain and sleet likely before midnight, followed by plain rain and some areas of fog. Wind gusts could get as high as 29 mph. Rain should continue on Tuesday, mainly before 3 p.m. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Up to three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.
COASTAL NEW JERSEY (updated 5 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for this region, as of 5 p.m. Monday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain expected Monday night, mainly after 10 p.m., with steady winds of 15 to 25 mph, and gusts as high as 35 to 40 mph, especially near the coast. Rain will continue in the early morning, heavy at times, followed by showers in the afternoon.
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY (updated 5:15 p.m.)
ADVISORY: No advisories issued for this region, as of 5 p.m. Monday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Rain is likely Monday night, with thunderstorms possible after midnight and Tuesday morning, followed by showers Tuesday afternoon. Rain could be heavy at times.
It's been awhile since we discussed wintry weather, so here is guide to different precipitation types. pic.twitter.com/qEZ7QgKSI5
-- Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) December 27, 2015
HIGHWAYS BEING TREATED
In advance of the storm, the state Department of Transportation has been pre-treating roads with brine in Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Union and parts of Hunterdon, transportation spokesman Kevin Israel said Monday afternoon.
Brine is a salt water mixture that prevents road surfaces from freezing, and helps melt snow and sleet that falls on the surface.
"We obviously ask drivers to plan their trips accordingly," based on the latest weather forecasts, Israel said. "Weather conditions can change at a moment's notice, so (drivers should) be careful."
NJ TRANSIT INFO
NJ Transit is keeping a close eye on the storm forecast and has already announced that bus tickets will be cross-honored at the Tuxedo, Sloatsburg and Harriman train stations, agency spokesman Jennifer M. Nelson said.
"As with all inclement weather situations, NJ Transit will monitor conditions as they develop and will take all precautions necessary - including watching for ice build-up along catenary wires and roadways - and act accordingly," Nelson said. "We have already established that bus tickets/passes for Bus Route Nos. 196 & 197 will be cross-honored at Tuxedo, Sloatsburg and Harriman stations on Monday, December 28, beginning at 5 p.m., due to expected winter weather conditions."
"Customers should be aware that additional bus, rail and light rail service may be subject to delays should the situation warrant," she added. For the latest rail and bus updates, customer can check the NJ Transit website.
Staff writer Larry Higgs contributed to this report. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
