9:45 AM | A lull in the action and then "phase 2" late this afternoon and tonight with dropping temperatures, increasing winds and occasional snow showers; slick roads likely later this afternoon and tonight

Discussion

This complex weekend event is proceeding on schedule with “phase 1” now winding down and “phase 2” about to begin. “Phase 1” has been associated with a coastal storm that is now pulling away after producing accumulating snow around here in “marginally cold” air with little or no wind. “Phase 2” will develop late this afternoon, after a brief “lull” in the action that could include some brightening skies, and it will continue right through tonight. This second phase will be associated with a powerful intrusion of Arctic air and it will feature dropping temperatures, increasingly strong N to NW winds and occasional snow showers that can include brief heavy bursts of snow adding to the morning snowfall amounts. The quick drop in temperatures later today and tonight can cause some “freeze-up” conditions on the roadways all the down way to the South Jersey coast. Temperatures will drop through the 20’s overnight and will bottom out in the low-to-middle teens by Sunday morning. Total snowfall accumulations by later tonight from both phases of this event will be in the 2-4 inch range. The rest of Sunday will remain very cold and windy with wicked wind chills and highs struggling to climb through the 20’s and there can be another snow shower or two. More snow is possible later Tuesday.