TOMS RIVER, NJ – Dangerously cold weather and snow to sweep across New Jersey and U.S. this weekend.
The National Weather Service is warning that an arctic blast will sweep across much of the United States this weekend, bringing frigid air, sub-zero wind chills, and the potential for life-threatening cold through early February.
New Jersey residents are in for a sharp turn toward bitter cold and accumulating snow this weekend as an arctic front moves into the region, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.
Today will bring partly sunny skies with highs around 38 degrees and south winds gusting up to 20 mph. Clouds will build overnight before gradual clearing toward daybreak, with lows near 32.
Thursday is expected to be the mildest day of the week, with mostly sunny skies and highs reaching 46 degrees. Southwest winds could gust up to 30 mph. Temperatures will drop quickly Thursday night, falling to around 24 as calmer conditions set in.
By Friday, colder air will begin filtering into the state. Highs will hover near 35 degrees under partly sunny skies, with lows plunging into the lower teens by nightfall.
The true arctic chill will arrive Saturday, when highs are forecast to reach only about 18 degrees. Light snow is expected to develop late Saturday night, with a 60% chance of accumulation.
Snow is likely to continue into Sunday, with highs around 23 and an 80% chance of precipitation. Snow showers may linger into Sunday night and early Monday as temperatures stay well below freezing, with highs near 26 to start next week.
Forecasters warn that wind chills could dip into dangerous territory during the weekend, posing risks of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone outdoors for extended periods.
Key Points: Arctic blast to bring frigid temperatures and weekend snow to New Jersey – Trenton
- National Weather Service forecasts highs near 18 degrees Saturday with snow late Saturday into Sunday
- Wind chills expected to make conditions feel even colder across the state
- Accumulating snow likely Sunday, followed by continued freezing temperatures into next week
According to a new advisory issued Tuesday by the Weather Prediction Center, temperatures are expected to plunge across the eastern two-thirds of the country beginning January 22, as an arctic cold front drives south and east from the Northern Plains. Single-digit and sub-zero lows will extend into the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast by Sunday, while teens are possible as far south as the Gulf Coast early next week.
The agency warned that gusty winds will make conditions even more dangerous, with wind chills in parts of the Northern Plains dropping to as low as minus 50 degrees. Sub-zero wind chills are also forecast to reach the Mid-Atlantic and southern states.
Forecasters said the extreme cold will likely linger into early February, with much below-normal temperatures continuing across the East. A “High Risk” of hazardous cold is predicted between January 28 and February 3, particularly in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions.
Officials cautioned that the cold could pose life-threatening risks of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone exposed to the elements, particularly during prolonged power outages. Residents are urged to prepare emergency supplies, check heating systems, and ensure pets and livestock are protected.
Key Points: Weather Service warns of dangerously cold temperatures across most of U.S. – Washington
- Arctic air will bring sub-zero temperatures and wind chills as low as minus 50 across parts of the country
- The National Weather Service says cold conditions will persist into early February
- Officials urge residents to take precautions against frostbite, hypothermia, and potential power outages
