With the National Weather Service (NWS) calling for a nor'easter to bring a mix of rain and snow and hazardous conditions through the Friday evening commute, Camden County officials said they’re prepared to tackle the coming nor’easter head-on as soon as it slams into the area.

The NWS Mount Holly office issued a winter weather advisory Thursday afternoon, in effect from 5 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday, calling for as much as 5 inches of snow in a storm the weather service warned could be intense Friday night.

The worst of the storm should hit right around rush hour, the NWS warning said, with rain changing over to wet snow late in the day Friday. The snow could intensify into Friday night, the NWS warned, with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and the possibility of a thunderstorm mixed in with the snow.

As that’s happening, the NWS warning said, temperatures will plunge into the 20s, causing a rapid freeze on roads during and after rush hour. In addition, wind gusts up to 30 mph could cause blowing and drifting snow, the NWS warned.

The county has plans in place to roll out snowplows and other gear during the evening Friday, but is prepared to move up that schedule, depending on the storm’s timing, officials said.

“Our Public Works employees are on standby and our equipment has been prepped,” said freeholder Ian Leonard, liaison to Public Works, in a statement. “Camden County will continue to monitor the weather, and if conditions warrant, we will respond to keep our roadways passable.”

Depending on the track of the storm, snow totals could vary across the county—the NWS indicated the total could be as low as 2 inches in some areas—and Leonard said the county’s plows will be directed accordingly.

“The county’s response plan calls for crews to be dispatched only to the zones where they are needed,” Leonard said. “As a precaution, we remind motorists to be prepared for the possibility of slippery road conditions and allow extra time to reach your destinations.”

Problems on county roads Friday and Saturday can be reported by phone to 856-566-2980.