Cold weather in New Jersey continues as the state prepares for its first accumulating snowfall of the season this weekend. The chilly conditions will persist with temperatures starting in the 20s on Friday morning, enhanced by strong winds causing wind chills to dip into the teens. Afternoon highs are expected to reach only the mid-30s, making for another bitterly cold day.
Saturday will see a slight warming trend with daytime temperatures around 40 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. However, a system moving in late Saturday evening will bring light to moderate snowfall across the state, likely lasting until Sunday morning. This weather event could create challenging travel conditions early Sunday, with forecasted snow accumulations ranging from a few inches in many areas.
The timing for the snowfall is crucial, with the most significant accumulation anticipated from around 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. By daybreak Sunday, residents might wake up to slippery roads and reduced visibility as snow is expected to be at its heaviest. As temperatures will remain below freezing throughout the weekend, this snow is expected to stick around for several days.
Forecasts indicate that inland central and southern New Jersey may see 2 to 4 inches of accumulation, while the immediate coastal areas could expect 1 to 3 inches due to potential rain mixing with snow. Northern New Jersey might see less accumulation, predicted at about 1 to 2 inches. While no official alerts have been released yet by the National Weather Service, this situation will be monitored given the potential for travel impacts.
In light of the cold forecast next week, Monday morning lows are expected to plummet into the teens, with highs only reaching the upper 20s. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon as temperatures are projected to gradually warm up, possibly reaching the 40s by mid-week and even pushing towards the 50s later in the week. This shift would provide a welcome relief as New Jerseyans look forward to a milder end to December.
With continued updates on this winter weather event, residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for the expected wintry conditions.