The Tuesday morning commute in northern New Jersey could be messy with a mix of snow, sleet and rain, forecasters say.

Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency for Northwestern New Jersey due to a significant winter storm that will hit tomorrow.

A light round of snow may move into North Jersey overnight, though forecasters say precipitation amounts will vary widely across the region.

Five New Jersey counties are under winter weather advisories for Tuesday's storm. Snow totals of 1 to 6 inches are now expected.

Snow could be coming to the tri-state just as December begins, and the National Weather Service now says some areas north and west of New York City could see higher totals than earlier expected.

National Weather Service predicts 1-3 inches along I-78 corridor, with higher amounts in the Poconos and potential for dangerous driving conditions Tuesday morning.

In Central Jersey, any early-morning snow is likely to change to mostly rain as warmer air pushes in. The NWS calls for less than a 50 percent chance of snow exceeding 2 inches in Hunterdon County, as less in Somerset and Middlesex.

New York City is expected to see rain on Tuesday morning, while areas north of the city will receive a few inches of snow.

Snow is set to return to the tri-state area this week, with up to five inches possible in a few New York and New Jersey counties by Tuesday.

The color-coded maps from the National Weather Service show the sharp gradient: The heaviest snow, from 8 to 12 inches, is forecast for interior Lower Hudson Valley and parts of interior New Jersey, while NYC and Long Island fall into the lighter range — generally 1 to 4 inches, possibly up to 5 to 8 if temperatures drop. Weather.gov

North Jersey residents can expect a wintry feel over the next several days, with colder temperatures, brisk winds and even the chance of snow showers in the northern part of the metropolitan region, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Ray Martin.