South Jersey residents are preparing for the significant winter storm expected to bring heavy snow and dangerous ice accumulations this weekend. The National Weather Service has updated its forecast, predicting 4 to 8 inches of snow and sleet across southern New Jersey, along with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice and wind gusts reaching 35 mph.

A Winter Storm Warning will take effect Saturday (January 24) at 7 p.m. and continue until 7 a.m. Monday, as the storm system moves through the region.

"A major winter storm is expected to impact the area, beginning tonight and continuing through Monday morning," the National Weather Service said. "This storm will bring significant snow and ice accumulations to the entire area, resulting in major disruptions."

The storm is expected to begin as snow after 1 a.m. Sunday, with the heaviest snowfall occurring Sunday morning through early afternoon before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain in many areas. Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour during the peak of the storm.

While snowfall projections for southern New Jersey have been reduced slightly, officials emphasize that the storm's impacts remain severe. "Very important to stress that while snowfall totals have been reduced slightly, the impacts remain the same," the weather service noted. "The combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will result in major impacts."

Governor Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday and has implemented a commercial vehicle travel ban on major highways. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has also issued a state of emergency effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

"As New Jerseyans confront an affordability crisis, we will not allow our state's consumers to be financially exploited during a major winter storm," said Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, warning merchants against price gouging during the emergency.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski warned about the dangers of ice accumulation: "Freezing rain places tremendous strain on trees and power lines. Even small ice accumulations can lead to widespread outages as branches snap and lines sag."

Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph are expected Sunday afternoon and evening, potentially creating near white-out conditions in the heaviest snow bands. The storm is forecast to taper off by midday Monday, but arctic air will dominate the region throughout the following week, with temperatures remaining below freezing and wind chills possibly dropping below zero.

Thousands of flights have already been canceled nationwide in anticipation of the storm. Local officials are urging residents to stay home if possible and to prepare for potential power outages by charging devices and having emergency supplies ready.

Camden County has activated its Senior Snow Removal Program for eligible elderly residents once accumulations reach four inches. The county has also issued a code blue advisory with warming centers open through Wednesday, January 28.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced all Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations will be closed on Sunday, and Philadelphia has declared a snow emergency from 9 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Sunday.

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