The tri-state area saw its first significant snowfall of the season as a powerful storm brought heavy snow and rain Thursday night into Friday morning, transforming parts of northern New Jersey into a winter wonderland. Highland Lakes in Sussex County received 12 inches of snow, while High Point State Park recorded an astonishing 20 inches, thanks to its elevation of 1,800 feet above sea level.

The snowstorm disrupted daily routines in northwestern New Jersey, causing widespread school closures and delays. Lower-elevation areas in New Jersey experienced wet snow mixed with rain as temperatures were not cold enough for significant accumulation.

In Morris County, towns like Mount Arlington and Jefferson Township saw between 3 and 4 inches of snow, while Bergen and Passaic counties had lighter snowfall, with totals ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches.

The storm also delivered much-needed rain across the region, offering some relief to areas plagued by drought. Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties received over an inch of rain, with coastal and urban areas like Central Park seeing similar rainfall amounts. However, experts warn that significantly more precipitation is required to alleviate the drought.

As residents prepare for clearer weather this weekend, the early snowfall has given northern New Jersey a premature taste of winter ahead of Thanksgiving.