TRENTON, N.J. — A state of emergency has been declared in parts of New Jersey as a significant winter storm approaches the East Coast. The storm, which has already affected the central United States, is expected to bring heavy snow and icy conditions to New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the emergency declaration effective at 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday. The declaration covers Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties. Officials cited hazardous weather conditions, including heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, as the reason for the declaration.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings across New England, from Albany, New York, to Portland, Maine. The NWS stated that much of the region will experience enhanced winter precipitation and possible gusty winds, particularly inland from the coast.

"The threat for significant snow accumulations across the interior is rising, with more than 6 inches possible north and west of the I-95 corridor," the NWS reported. In the Midwest, 2 to 5 inches of snow is expected on Monday night, with a swath of 3 to 6 inches anticipated across the Ohio Valley. By Tuesday morning, heavy snow is expected to extend from Pittsburgh to Cleveland and into western and upstate New York.

Pittsburgh is under a winter weather advisory, with forecasts predicting 2 to 5 inches of snow. By Tuesday evening, heavy snow is expected to continue in New England, with local accumulations of 6 to 12 inches possible through early Wednesday morning.

In addition to snow, the storm system is expected to bring heavy rain from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston through Tuesday afternoon. The storm is projected to move off the coast late Tuesday night.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also urged residents in parts of upstate New York to prepare for the storm. "State agencies stand ready to assist New Yorkers throughout the storm and our plow crews will be out keeping our roadways safe, but we encourage everyone to be weather aware and closely monitor the forecast," she said in a statement.

As winter officially begins, the eastern U.S. is experiencing a blast of Arctic air, which has led to a drop in temperatures. The NWS has issued winter weather advisories in 17 states, from Oklahoma to New York, as the storm tracks eastward. Meteorologists expect the storm to undergo bombogenesis, a rapid intensification process, as it moves up the East Coast.

The interaction between the cold Arctic air and warm, moist air from the Gulf Coast is expected to strengthen the winter storm. This could lead to stronger winds and heavier precipitation than typical winter storms.

As the storm progresses, travel conditions may worsen, particularly in the Northeast, where significant snowfall is anticipated. The winter season has just begun, and forecasters warn that more cold air and winter weather could follow in the coming weeks.