A winter storm watch has been issued for all 21 counties in New Jersey.

A coastal flood watch will be in effect for Sunday afternoon through late evening for parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Skies remain dry across the Garden State Friday night. Lows will be in the mid- to upper 20s.

Saturday will be a brief break from active weather. Expect partly cloudy skies in the morning, with afternoon highs in the mid- to upper 40s. Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day Saturday ahead of the developing area of low pressure off the mid-Atlantic and Carolina coast.

The big question at stake: How far west will this low-pressure center be? The track of this area of low pressure makes the forecast of snow rather tricky. The more west the track, the greater the snow fall totals. The more east and offshore the track, the lower the snow fall totals. Either way, because the center of the low-pressure system is expected to stay offshore, there will be a sharp cut off to the northwest. However, the center of that low determines where that sharp contrast in snow happens.

Central and Southern New Jersey has the better chance for impact, with Northwest New Jersey more likely to see snow showers. There is a potential for 3 to 6 inches in Northwest New Jersey and 6 to 9 inches elsewhere across the Garden State, with higher totals along the immediate coastline.

The snow showers are likely to start Sunday evening and increase in intensity overnight before they taper off throughout Monday. Temperatures on Sunday will barely escape the 30s and stay in the low 30s Sunday night. Aside from the snow, strong winds are in store with this strong pressure gradient. Winds starting Sunday night could peak 35-plus mph and linger into Monday as the low rides close to the New England coast.

Another impact worth mentioning is the strong likelihood for coastal flooding, especially around high tide on Sunday night as there will be a significant east/northeast wind flow with this low.

High pressure shifts on Tuesday and winds will gradually weaken.

OVERNIGHT - Cloudy, with gradual skies clearing. Rain tapers off. Lows in the mid-30s.

SATURDAY - Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

SATURDAY NIGHT - Chance for rain and snow mix, mostly cloudy, with highs in the low 30s.

SUNDAY: STORM WATCH - Snow is likely. Highs in the mid-30s. Wind gusts 30-plus mph.

MONDAY - Morning snow. Strong winds, with gusts 30-plus mph. Highs in the mid- to upper 30s.