NJ WEATHER: Up to 1 empty rain in forecast after ice -cream start in 4 counties

Drivers in northwestern New Jersey are dealing with a smooth Friday morning commuting due to icy conditions and rain.

Temperatures are in the low 30s from the 7 -AM conditions improve when the temperatures climb over the freezer label later this morning.

The National Weather Service Has a winter weather advice in effect until 1 p.m. 9 for Morris, Sussex and Warren counties and until 7 p.m. 10 in western Passaic County.

Sidewalks, roads and bridges are smooth with a thin coating of the ice expected.

Dozens of school districts in the northwest of the state have called for delayed openings. At least one district closed for the day.

It will be a pretty boring day, with a quarter inch for half an inch of rain expected in most of the state by Friday night.

Southern parts of the state could come up to an inch of much needed rain.

New Jersey still deals with drought conditions, but the rain will be particularly advantageous in southern counties where “extreme” drought conditions persist, according to US drought surveillance.

These counties include most of Cumberland, Burlington and Ocean and the entire Atlantic and Cape May. Parts of Camden, Gloucester and Salem are also under extreme drought conditions.

High temperatures on Friday will be mild in late January, when most of the state arrives in the mid -40s to low 50s. Low overnight falls into the 30s, except in northwestern areas where the mercury dips down into the upper 30s.

Expect gradual clearing with sunshine on Saturday afternoon with heights in the low 40s.

Sunday should be cloudy with heights between the mid -30s and make 40s.

Light snow is possible on Sunday evening in areas north of Interstate 78, but little or no accumulation is expected.

At Monday, temperatures are expected to reach the top 40s and make 50s.

Tuesday should also be dry, but forecasters will look at a chance of rain or snow on Wednesday and Thursday.

Current weather radar