Winter's Return: Advisory Blankets a Dozen NJ Counties

Well, folks, it looks like Mother Nature has decided to throw us a bit of a curveball, or perhaps a snow/sleet/ice cocktail, this week. A rather significant winter weather alert has just been issued, casting a wide net over a full dozen of New Jersey’s counties. Yes, you heard that right – twelve! From what we're seeing, this advisory is going to be sticking with us, unfortunately, all the way through Saturday night, meaning the weekend might just start off a little... slicker than we'd all hoped for.

Now, what exactly does this mean for us on the ground? Essentially, expect conditions to get a bit dicey, especially on the roads. We’re talking about a mix of potential snow, sleet, and even a bit of freezing rain in spots, which, as anyone who’s lived here for a while knows, is often the absolute worst combination for driving. Those lovely, picturesque snowflakes can quickly turn into treacherous black ice, making even short commutes feel like an Olympic event in precision driving.

If you find yourself in one of these affected areas – and believe me, it covers a good chunk of the state, particularly across the central and northern regions – please, please exercise extreme caution. Do you really need to be out and about? If not, maybe it’s a perfect excuse to cozy up indoors with a good book or a hot beverage. But if you absolutely must travel, slow down, increase your following distance, and for goodness sake, make sure your car is ready for it. A little preparedness goes a long, long way in these situations, you know?

The latest forecast models are pointing to intermittent precipitation, perhaps a few inches of snow here, a glaze of ice there, but the real concern isn't necessarily massive accumulations that shut everything down. It’s that sneaky, often invisible ice that tends to catch people off guard, especially as temperatures hover right around the freezing mark. Roads that look merely wet could very well be frozen, so just be extra vigilant out there on those roadways.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this develops over the next day or so. Remember to check local forecasts regularly, maybe keep your phone charged, and perhaps have some essentials on hand, just in case. Let’s all stay safe and look out for one another as this winter weather rolls through our beloved Garden State. It’s just a timely reminder that winter isn't quite done with us yet!