Winter in South Jersey is basically a game of geographical roulette. One day you’re walking the Atlantic City boardwalk in a light hoodie, and the next, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly is issuing coastal flood advisories that make everyone in Cape May scramble for high ground.
Honestly, the south jersey weather news right now is all about the "January Thaw" finally packing its bags. We’ve had a weirdly mild stretch lately, but that’s ending tonight, January 15, 2026. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill: the damp, 40-degree gloom is about to get a lot sharper.
Current conditions in Mount Holly show it's a crisp 25°F tonight with a wind chill making it feel like 14°F. That west wind at 13 mph is just the appetizer.
The Mid-January Shift: Snow is Actually on the Table
Most people think South Jersey is "too far south" for real snow anymore. That's a mistake. While we’ve been stuck in a bit of a "snow drought" compared to historical averages, the patterns are shifting. According to recent model guidance, the "nickel-and-dime" winter pattern is here. Instead of one massive, soul-crushing blizzard, we’re looking at a series of smaller, annoying events that keep the salt trucks busy.
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Saturday, January 17, is the one to watch. We’re looking at a messy mix of rain and snow with a 65% chance of precipitation. It’s that classic Jersey slush—too wet to be pretty, too icy to be safe.
- High: 42°F
- Low: 32°F
- Condition: Rain and snow mix
- Wind: 11 mph southwest
The temperature hover is the real problem. When it stays right around 32°F, the roads in Burlington and Camden counties turn into skating rinks. By Sunday, January 18, it transitions into light snow with a high of only 33°F. It won't be a foot of powder, but it’ll be enough to mess up your morning coffee run.
Why Coastal South Jersey is Different
Down in Cape May and Atlantic City, the story isn't just about the flakes; it's about the tide. The tidal gauge at Cape May Harbor has been under close watch. Even without a named hurricane, nor'easters have been battering the sand cliffs in places like Avalon and Stone Harbor.
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We saw major beach erosion recently from storms that didn't even make national news. Local officials in Surf City are currently pressing for a state emergency declaration because the dunes are basically gone. When the wind shifts to the northwest at 16 mph, like we expect by next Sunday, it pushes that water around in ways that catch Shore road drivers off guard.
The Polar Vortex and Your Heating Bill
Let's talk about the deep freeze. Around January 20, temperatures in the Mount Holly area are forecasted to crater. We're talking a high of 22°F and a low of 14°F. That’s "pipe-bursting" weather.
The transition to a weak La Niña has made this winter unpredictable. Usually, La Niña means warmer and drier for the Southeast, but South Jersey sits right on that invisible line where the Jetstream likes to wiggle. This year, we’re seeing "intermittent high-latitude blocking" near Greenland. Basically, the cold air gets stuck over us instead of sliding out to sea.
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Real Talk on the Forecast
If you're checking the 10-day outlook, keep an eye on January 24 and 25.
The models are showing a 70% chance of snow on the 24th, followed by a 45% chance on the 25th. The daytime high on that Sunday will struggle to hit 31°F, and the overnight low will plunge to a brutal 8°F. That is serious cold. If you haven't winterized your outdoor spigots, do it now.
- Precipitation: Trending toward "wetter than normal" for the rest of the month.
- Drought Status: While the Southeast US is in a drought, Jersey is seeing a "precipitation recharge" that should help local reservoirs.
- Wind: Expect gusts up to 35 mph during frontal transitions, especially on the coast.
South Jersey weather isn't just a background character; it’s the lead actor that changes the script every three days. One week you're worried about basement flooding from rain, the next you're looking for the ice scraper you lost in 2024.
Next Steps for South Jersey Residents:
Check your salt supply before the Saturday mix arrives. If you live in a flood-prone zone in Ocean or Cape May county, move your cars to higher ground before the northwest winds pick up on Sunday night. Ensure your heating system's filters are clean before the January 20 deep freeze hits, as those 14°F nights will put your furnace to the test.