Strong pre-Thanksgiving storm to hit N.J. with heavy rain, 45 mph winds. Latest travel updates.

Those looking to get a head start on Thanksgiving week travel today and early Wednesday face a challenging weather forecast with up to 2 inches of rain and strong wind gusts up to 45 mph in New Jersey before calmer conditions prevail for Thanksgiving day.

Nearly all of the state is expected to get 1.5 inches to 2 inches of rain by mid-day Wednesday with the heaviest of the downpours late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the National Weather Service said in its latest forecast on the storm.

Already busy roads are likely to be slippery and airport delays are possible Tuesday evening into Wednesday, forecasters say.

The northwest corner of the state is likely to wind up with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain from the system. A portion of that area — specifically northern Sussex County — is also the only part of the state the might briefly see frozen precipitation on Tuesday afternoon, the weather service said.

The heaviest of the rain expected Tuesday in New Jersey is likely to fall at night.AccuWeather.com

Besides the downpours, the other major hazard from the storm will be strong wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph that could top 45 mph at times along the Jersey Shore. Winds are expected do diminish significantly by early Wednesday, though, except in areas immediately along the coast.

A coastal flood advisory will be in effect from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. in eastern Essex, Hudson and eastern Union counties.

Temperatures should reach only the upper 40s on Tuesday before actually climbing slightly overnight into the low 50s.

Rain should wind down by mid-day Wednesday for the start of a period of dry, sunny weather that forecasters say will continue into Thanksgiving and through the weekend.

Highs will be in the lows 50s on Thanksgiving, but then get cooler each day.

Highs on the day after Thanksgiving will be mainly in the upper 40s and on Saturday will reach on the the low 40s before a bit of a rebound to the upper 40s on Sunday. Overnight lows through the stretch will be in the upper 20s and low 30s.

Current weather radar