I wouldn’t call this a storm, but it’s the kind of overnight mess that can still throw off a morning drive.
Late tonight, a quick system moves across New Jersey, according to reports from the National Weather Service. It brings some light snow, maybe a little ice, and then it’s gone. The problem is when it shows up—after midnight and into the early morning hours.
Snow starts first. Not much, but enough in spots to make roads slick before sunrise. If you’re north of I-78, you’ve got the best chance of seeing a coating. In a few places, it could creep closer to an inch or two. Most of the state stays under that.
Then comes the awkward part.
As temperatures rise Tuesday morning, snow starts turning to rain. That changeover can leave behind a thin glaze on untreated roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. It doesn’t take much to make things slippery, especially early.
Closer to the Shore, snow doesn’t stick around long. Rain takes over by late morning once temperatures push above freezing. At that point, conditions improve fast.
By midday, this whole thing is pretty much done.
Tuesday afternoon actually turns out decent. Temperatures climb into the low to mid-40s, which helps melt whatever snow managed to stick earlier in the day.
Monday, by comparison, is quiet. Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. Nothing that screams “snow later tonight,” which is usually how these setups go.
Looking ahead a bit, the holiday stretch doesn’t look too bad.
Wednesday stays dry but breezy. Gusts could hit around 30 mph, so it won’t feel calm, but it stays mild for December. Wednesday night cools off, with lows dipping into the 20s and 30s.
Christmas Day itself looks fine overall. A weak system passes through Thursday morning. That could mean some light rain or sprinkles, and maybe a few flurries in northern parts of the state. Nothing that looks like a big deal right now.
After that, things get fuzzy.
Friday is the wild card. A stronger system might move in, and recent forecast changes suggest colder air could be involved. That opens the door to wintry precipitation instead of plain rain, but there’s a wide range of possibilities at this point.
For now, Tuesday morning is the only real concern.
It’s not a major storm. Just enough snow and ice to make the early drive annoying. If you’re out before sunrise, take it slow. Roads should improve as the morning goes on.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.