The latest winter storm update from the National Weather Service on Wednesday afternoon showed both higher snowfall totals possible along the Jersey Shore and a wider region that could get at least 6 inches of snow.
The weather service also upgraded the winter storm warnings to a blizzard warning for five counties -- Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean -- where wind gusts can get as powerful as 50 mph when the snowstorm hits.
"Regardless of snow totals, strong winds will lead to areas of significant blowing and drifting snow resulting in impacts on travel," the weather service's New Jersey forecast office said in a storm briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Coastal regions of New Jersey could see 8 to 12 inches of snow and a flood advisory has been issued, the weather service said. That's up from the 4 to 6 inches projections from the morning.
In addition, nearly all of the inland portions of southern New Jersey are in the 4 to 8 inch forecast zone, with amounts higher near the coast. In North Jersey, the snowfall amounts are expected to be 1 to 4 inches, the Weather Service said.
When will it starting snowing in N.J.?
Forecasters say bands of moderate to heavy snow will lead to additional accumulation. Areas close to one another could have vastly different totals if one area is outside the bands.
Some of the heaviest snow could fall during Thursday morning's rush hour.
Here's the latest snowfall forecast from the National Weather Service, updated at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3. Blowing and drifting snow will also be a worry with winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph. Power outages that will cause people to lose their heat are also a concern, due to temperatures that will dip into the single digits Thursday night.
In addition to the blizzard warnings in the five coastal counties, Mercer and Middlesex counties will be under a winter storm warning beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday. A winter storm advisory will be active in most areas that are north and west of the New Jersey Turnpike.
In addition, the coastal flood advisory is in effect from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties.
Some local roadways might be closed due to high water and flood waters might freeze, the weather service says.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.