A winter storm is brewing for Friday. The storm energy is now moving ashore over the Pacific Northwest and will be tracked as it crosses the Rockies and Great Lakes before arriving in New Jersey.

This system arrives during a very cold setup, with temperatures in the 20s to low 30s on Friday, meaning the snow will be powdery and light. That will increase snowfall ratios to around 12-to-1 or even 15-to-1 in colder spots, which could boost totals.

There is a notable overperformance risk with this system, so the first call is for 4 to 8 inches of snow. There will also be a risk of a sharp north-south cutoff, where southern areas could see rain mixing in halfway through the storm, which would reduce snowfall totals. This will need to be monitored closely.

Uncertainty remains, but forecast confidence will improve over the next 24 to 36 hours.

In the meantime, expect a windy but sunny Christmas Eve with highs in the low 40s, feeling like the 30s due to gusts near 35 mph.

Christmas Day will be cloudy with some breaks of sun and a stray sprinkle.