Winter isn’t done just yet.
North Jersey woke up Monday to below-freezing temperatures and wind chills in the teens—the last true cold snap of the season, according to meteorologists. Downtown Newark hit 25 degrees, but with wind factoring in, it feels closer to 16.
The National Weather Service says today will be mostly cloudy early before gradually clearing, with highs reaching the low-to-mid-30s. Wind chill values will bounce between 10 and 20 degrees. Tonight, clouds will increase with lows around 24 degrees.
But here’s where it gets interesting: this cold snap won’t last, and warm relief is on the way.
A wintry mix arrives Tuesday morning.
Light snow, freezing rain, and ice are forecast to slick North Jersey roads early Tuesday before the system clears. Light snow will develop late Monday into Tuesday morning, with a warm front arriving by mid-morning that transitions precipitation to a wintry mix of snow, rain, and freezing rain.
Snow accumulation will be light—less than an inch—but light ice could create slippery conditions for the morning commute.
By mid afternoon, the mix shifts to rain and highs climb into the 40s.
Spring Arrives Later This Week
The real story starts Wednesday.
Temperatures will surge well above normal for early March starting mid-week and continuing through the weekend. Expect highs in the low 50s to low 60s on Wednesday, then upper 50s to upper 60s on Thursday.
Some inland areas could potentially reach the low 70s.
Friday will see highs slip back slightly to the low 50s and low 60s, still well above normal for early March. By the weekend, highs should reach the 60s and 70s across most of North Jersey, though coastal areas will likely stay in the 50s thanks to chilly Atlantic water temperatures.
To put it another way: North Jersey is about to experience one of the most dramatic weather swings of the season—below freezing on Monday morning to near-70 by the weekend.
What You Need to Know
Conditions could shift back to more typical early March conditions next week.
For now, bundle up through Tuesday morning, watch for slippery conditions during the commute, then prepare for a genuine spring-like stretch through the weekend that could melt much of the snow from the previous blizzard.
The warm days are coming, but not before a bit of cold and a wintry mix.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.