A fast-moving weather system bringing cold air and snow is expected to move through much of New Jersey tonight following a day with temperatures in the 40s, officials said.

Rain is expected at the outset for most of the state until later this evening when temperatures drop near freezing, weather forecasts said.

A swath of north and central New Jersey, from Morristown to northern Ocean County, marks an area where National Weather Service forecasters say could see at least an inch of snow.

Newark is forecast to see about an inch of snow. Estimates rise to between one and three inches in places like Lincroft and Belle Mead, the forecasts said.

Most of the accumulation is expected by midnight, said National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick O’Hara.

Thursday is expected to be sunny and warmer throughout much of the state.