Snow accumulations are expected at 6 to 8 inches.
If you’re not bunkered down by now, you probably should be.
The snow in the Lehigh Valley has started and will keep coming overnight, according to Anthony Gigi, meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J.
Gigi said the area can expect 6 to 8 inches of snow throughout the night, but snowfall should be over by the morning commute.
Wind will also be a factor in the storm, Gigi said.
Though Friday’s high is expected to be 16 degrees, but 15 to 25 mph winds will make it feel between zero and 5 below zero, he said.
Gigi said there could be some freezing rain in the forecast for later on in the weekend, if it can warm up before the rain comes on Sunday, potentially causing a "different type of headache."
He said it could last into the commute on Monday morning as well, but it's too far out to tell.
"One storm at a time," he said.
“Thankfully the wind is starting off slowly, since it’s snowing heavily now,” Gigi said.
A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey, according to a news release from Gov. Chris Christie’s office.
According to the release, Christie also authorized the closing of state buildings on Friday for all nonessential employees.
“The impending weather conditions over the next several days will produce a variety of dangerous travel conditions throughout the state,” Christie said in the release. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action in advance of the storm, and my administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm.”
Christie also encouraged New Jersey residents to stay off the roads if possible so that the first responders and public safety officials can respond to any emergency situations.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has also reduced the speed to 45 mph on the majority of highways through Lehigh and Northampton counties, including Interstate 78, Route 22 and Route 33.