Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans still reeling without power as temperatures took a decidedly colder turn the last two nights now face the prospect of a major Nor'easter striking the state Wednesday into Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the tri-state area, and it's predictions have grown more dire in recent days.

"A significant coastal storm will likely impact the tri-state region Wednesday and Thursday," the service said Monday. "Confidence continues to increase that strong, gusty winds ... rain/wintry precipitation ... coastal flooding and additional beach erosion will result from this system."

The storm is set to strike a little more than a week after superstorm Sandy, and the prediction comes the same day a minor earthquake struck North Jersey. It could seriously affect power restoration efforts.