TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey remains locked in a deep freeze this weekend, with temperatures hovering in the teens and dangerous wind chills prompting an Extreme Cold Warning from the National Weather Service through midday Sunday. The bitter conditions are expected to persist through much of the week, offering little relief for residents already facing one of the coldest stretches of winter.
Forecasters say the Arctic air mass gripping the region will keep daytime highs near 17 degrees Sunday, while overnight lows could fall to around 5 degrees. With northwest winds reaching 15 mph, wind chill values will make it feel as cold as minus 13 degrees in parts of central and southern New Jersey.
The National Weather Service warns that exposure to such frigid conditions can lead to frostbite in as little as 30 minutes. Residents are urged to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and check on neighbors and pets. Those without adequate heat are advised to call 211 for assistance finding warming shelters.
Cold grips region through the workweek
The extreme cold warning will transition into a Cold Weather Advisory from noon Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday, as temperatures moderate slightly but remain dangerously low. Monday’s high is forecast near 29 degrees, with wind chills staying below zero early in the day.
While gradual warming is expected midweek, forecasters caution that highs will only reach the upper 30s to near 40 by Wednesday before dipping again late in the week. “This is a prolonged cold event, and residents should continue to take precautions,” meteorologists said early Sunday from Mount Holly.
Key cold-weather details:
- Extreme Cold Warning in effect until noon Sunday; Cold Weather Advisory through 10 a.m. Monday
- Wind chills as low as 16 below zero expected early Sunday
- Daytime highs will remain below freezing through much of the week
By Thursday and Friday, temperatures may climb just above freezing, though forecasters see no major warm-up in sight. Officials continue to urge caution, warning that hypothermia and frostbite remain serious risks during even brief outdoor exposure.
