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TRENTON — The entire Jersey Shore can expect anywhere from 2 inches to 4 inches of snow Sunday, as a winter storm barrels through New Jersey.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for much of southern New Jersey, Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore, while North Jersey is facing a winter storm warning with higher rates of snowfall. The latest forecast from the Weather Service called for 2 inches to 3 inches of snow in Toms River and 3 inches to 4 inches in Long Branch. Parts of the Shore might see more of a wintery mix.

Snow storm Sunday

Snow is expected to begin late Sunday morning and continue through the evening, according to the Weather Service. The heaviest snowfall is expected along the Interstate 95 corridor and the northwestern parts of the state, where anywhere from 6 inches to 8 inches is expected.

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The latest forecast is trending not just snowier, but colder. In the wake of the storm, temperatures are expected to drop beginning Sunday night and approach single digits by Monday night, the Weather Service said.

In Toms River, the Weather Service forecast a low temperature of 6 degrees and a high temperature of 20 degrees on Monday night, with a minimum wind chill of minus 8 degrees.

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The cold temperatures mean an increased risk of hypothermia and frost bite, and pipes could freeze within homes.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for Sunday, which took effect at 8 a.m. and applies to all 21 counties, Murphy said.

A state of emergency declaration does not normally restrict people’s movements or activities, but it does allow government officials to recommend specific actions like travel restrictions, cancellations and closures. It also empowers the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management to employ state resources to help local and county governments in their response to the emergency.

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The heavily traveled northeastern portion of the Interstate 95 corridor is expected to experience a significant bout of snow as a winter storm strengthens along the coastline.

The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the potential for a widespread area of 1-3 inches of snow to start falling on Sunday evening from Washington, D.C. to Boston, with 5-8″ amounts expected to the north and west of Interstate 95.

Due to the expected snowfall in combination with dangerously cold air, the governor of New Jersey has issued a state of emergency and told residents to be ready to brace for below-zero wind chills.

“Following this weekend’s snow, we are expecting extreme cold with wind chills reaching -10° or below. Dangerously cold conditions are expected to persist through most of next week. Please limit your time outdoors and keep your pets inside as much as possible,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement on Saturday.

Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, schools, banks, and other services that would normally be in session on Monday have the day off, which will help keep roads clear for snow removal crews.

More than 30 million residents from the Appalachians to the Northeast are under some type of winter weather alert, which includes Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Depending on how much snow falls, the system could produce the largest accumulations of the season for a region that has otherwise seen significant snowfall deficits.

Philadelphia sits at around 5″ of snowfall below normal, with New York City closer to half a foot behind what typically accumulates during the first half of winter.

Included in the zone of sleet and snow is the nation’s capital, where accumulations could reach 1-3 inches before the start of the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday.

The president-elect’s team said due to concerns over brutally cold air following the precipitation, most major inaugural events will take place indoors, which is a break from long-standing tradition.

Agencies around Washington, D.C. had been preparing for months for outdoor events, including a parade and the swearing-in ceremony.

The high temperature is expected to reach the mid 20s on Monday, which will plummet to near zero by Wednesday evening as the full scope of the Arctic air mass entrenches itself over the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

In all, more than 300 million people are expected to see below average temperatures as the coldest air of the season invades the nation.

Due to the threat of hypothermia, many communities from the U.S.-Canadian border to Florida plan to open warming centers so that those without shelter will have a temporary housing option.

A state of emergency has been declared for New Jersey starting at 8 a.m. Sunday due to a winter storm expected to hit parts of northern New Jersey with 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Gov. Phil Murphy made the announcement Saturday night ahead of the storm, which is expected to start Sunday morning and continue all day.

The state of emergency is statewide. Most of northern New Jersey will see at least 4 inches of snow, according to the weather service.

Winter weather warnings have been issued for parts of eight counties – Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren. Parts of 10 counties are also under lesser winter weather advisories.

Snowfall rates of more than 1 inch per hour are expected Sunday afternoon at the peak of the storm.

“Beginning tomorrow morning, we are expecting a winter storm to bring heavy snow, followed by dangerously low temperatures expected on Monday and continuing through Wednesday,” Murphy said in a statement Saturday night. “As always, I urge all New Jerseyans to use caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”

In addition to the state of emergency, the New Jersey Department of Transportation has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple interstate highways across the state beginning Sunday at 9 a.m.

The restriction will be in place until further notice in both directions for I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, I-676 and NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287.

The latest forecast map issued by the National Weather Service shows a wide area of 6 to 8 inches of snow expected in northwestern New Jersey. There’s a chance for 10 inches in some spots in Sussex County.

Lower snowfall totals are expected southern New Jersey, where rain could mix with freezing rain and snow.

States of emergencies do not ban people from the roads or require them to shelter in place. Instead, they allow the state to organize its emergency response, trigger laws to prevent price gouging, and more.

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