Gov. Murphy declares state of emergency for 5 NJ counties ahead of winter storm

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency in advance of a potential winter storm that could bring up to 7 inches of snow to southern portions of the Jersey Shore.

Rain will transition to snow overnight and continue through Monday, dumping up to 8 inches of snow across portions of southern New Jersey, according to the National Weather Service.

Portions of coastal southern Ocean County could get as much as 7 inches, but the totals decrease inland and to the north.

Toms River is currently forecast to get 3 to 5 inches while Asbury Park is predicted to get from 1 to 3 inches of snow. Barnegat and Tuckerton could see up to 7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Murphy said in a virtual press conference Sunday evening that a "state of emergency (is) going into effect later this evening for Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties."

State offices would also have a delayed opening scheduled for 10 a.m.

"If you can stay in tonight, please God stay in," Murphy said. "If you could kick your commute tomorrow a little bit later, and/or work from home, that would be terrific as well."

Wind gusts of up to 35 mph combined with the heavy snow will make travel hazardous between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday throughout areas of the Jersey Shore, according to the National Weather Service's Mount Holly station.

Coastal flooding is also expected to cause problems with the morning commute. Flooding could reach up to a foot above ground level in low-lying areas of Ocean County, according to the National Weather Service. The worst of the flooding is expected between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday. Road closures are possible.

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Power outages are possible if heavy snow and high winds pull down power lines, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso said during Murphy's press conference.

Murphy said there is unpredictability in this winter storm, a trend also seen across warm weather storms in New Jersey.

"Storms are coming more frequently, with more intensity and less predictability," he said.

Some of that uncertainty is making predicting snow impacts around Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties more difficult, said Col. Patrick J. Callahan, head of the New Jersey State Police.

Murphy would activate the state's emergency operations center early Monday morning, Callahan said.

After the storm, skies will clear Monday night and temperatures will dip into the mid-teens, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday will be sunny, with high temperatures in the middle to upper 30s.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ weather: Murphy declares state of emergency for 5 counties