As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters were calling for 6 to 8 inches of snow on Thursday for all of southern New Jersey.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect for Ocean City through 7 p.m. Thursday.
The notice warns of hazardous travel conditions as rain turns to sleet then heavy snow on Thursday.
The precipitation was all rain as of 8 a.m. Thursday, but it is expected to turn to snow as the temperature dips just below freezing later in the morning. Snowfall predictions call for 6 to 8 inches of accumulation for Ocean City and surrounding areas by the time the snow stops Thursday evening.
As of 7:30 a.m. Thursday, no snow had arrived in Ocean City. Heavy rain was still falling.
The Ocean City School District announced early Thursday morning that schools will be closed due the forecast. The tentative date for the last day of school and Ocean City High School graduation has already been pushed back from June 15 to June 17, after two snow days and one school cancellation for flooding.
The Ocean City Police Department reminds car owners that parking along the entire length of West Avenue is prohibited when snow covers the road. The roadway is an emergency route, and violators will be ticketed.
Gov. Chris Christie announced a state of emergency Wednesday night for the entire state. (
What does that mean?)
Full-moon tides arrive at 7:53 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Thursday when north winds will be blowing 10 to 20 mph with stronger gusts. The Weather Service has issued no flood warnings, but residents of low-lying streets may want to keep an eye out for rising water.
The big freeze returns on Friday with a high of 24 degrees and a low of 16 degrees. The sun returns Saturday with a high of 35 degrees.
See the full weather briefing below:
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