You wake up, look out the window at the gray sky over the Passaic River, and honestly, you just don’t know which jacket to grab. That’s Newark for you. One day you’re bracing for a polar vortex, and the next, you’re wondering if you can get away with a light hoodie. Today is one of those "middle ground" days that feels a bit strange for the middle of January.
If you are checking the temperature in Newark NJ today, you’re looking at a high of roughly 51°F. Compared to the historical average for January 14, which usually hovers around a crisp 39°F, we are running significantly warmer than usual. It’s not exactly beach weather, but it’s a far cry from the bone-chilling Newark winters we often complain about.
The air feels heavy. Humidity is sitting around 64%, making that 49°F or 50°F feel a little damp rather than refreshing. If you’re heading out to the Ironbound for lunch or catching a train at Penn Station, keep an eye on the clouds. We’ve got a "considerable" amount of cloud cover today—about 53% to 60% depending on who you ask—and there is a lingering chance of rain showers as we move into the evening.
What’s Actually Happening with the Newark Weather Right Now?
Basically, we are caught in a brief "warm surge" before a cold front moves in. While 51°F sounds great, the wind is coming from the south at about 6 mph, bringing in that moisture.
It's kind of a messy setup.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service and local NJ weather outlets are tracking a clipper system moving through the Great Lakes. For us in Newark, that means we get the "warm" side of the system today, but things change fast. Tonight, that temperature is going to dip down to about 38°F or 40°F.
The Hour-by-Hour Breakdown
If you're planning your day, here is the rough trajectory of how things are moving:
- Midday (12 PM - 2 PM): This is your peak warmth. We hit that 50°F mark. It’s cloudy, maybe a stray drizzle, but mostly just gray.
- Late Afternoon (3 PM - 5 PM): Temperatures start a slow slide. We’ll be in the high 40s. The breeze might pick up just enough to make you regret leaving the house without a scarf.
- Evening (6 PM onwards): The rain chance jumps. We're looking at occasional drizzle and rain. If you’re driving on the Turnpike or Route 21, watch for those slick spots as the oil on the road mixes with the first bit of rain.
By the time we hit the early morning hours of Thursday, that rain might actually start mixing with a few snowflakes. It’s a classic Jersey "bait and switch." We get the 50-degree Tuesday and Wednesday, only to be slapped with wind chills in the 20s by Thursday afternoon.
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Why Newark Temperatures Can Be So Unpredictable
Newark has a weird microclimate. We’re tucked right between the Watchung Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Then you have the "Urban Heat Island" effect. Because Newark is so densely packed with asphalt, brick, and concrete—plus the massive operations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)—the city often stays a few degrees warmer than places like Basking Ridge or even Morristown.
Today is a perfect example of that. While the suburbs might feel the chill of the damp air, the core of Newark holds onto that midday heat just a little longer.
But don't let the 51°F high fool you into thinking winter is over. Historically, January is the coldest month of the year here. Our record low for this time of year is a staggering -10°F (set way back in the day), so today’s "balmy" weather is a total outlier. We are actually experiencing what some forecasters are calling a "winter warmth surge" that's affecting the whole Mid-Atlantic.
The "RealFeel" Factor
Humidity matters. When the humidity is 60%+ in the winter, the air conducts heat away from your body faster if it's cold, but it feels "heavy" when it's mild. Today, it feels more like a late March morning than a mid-January afternoon.
If you are a runner heading to Branch Brook Park, you’ve actually got great conditions, though the dampness might make the air feel thicker than usual. For everyone else, it’s just... gray. The UV index is a flat zero. You won't be seeing the sun much today.
Looking Ahead: The Big Drop
Here is the part people usually miss when they only look at the temperature in Newark NJ today. The "cliff" is coming.
- Wednesday Night: Rain and drizzle start to settle in.
- Thursday Morning: The rain likely mixes with snow as the temp drops to the low 30s.
- Thursday Afternoon: The temperature won't rise; it will actually fall. We could be looking at 31°F by 5 PM with wind gusts hitting 32 mph.
That is a 20-degree swing in less than 24 hours. Honestly, that’s the most "New Jersey" thing about the weather. It’s never just one thing; it’s a constant transition.
How to Prepare for the Rest of the Day
If you're out and about, the best move is to dress in layers. That light coat might be fine at 2 PM, but by the time you're heading home at 6 PM, the dampness will start to soak through.
Make sure your wipers are in good shape. Newark traffic is bad enough without struggling to see through a foggy windshield and late-day drizzle. Also, if you have outdoor pets, keep in mind that while it's "warm" now, the floor is going to fall out of the thermometer tonight. Get them somewhere warm before the wind picks up tomorrow morning.
The takeaway for today? Enjoy the 50s while they last. They are a literal "blip" in a January that is otherwise scheduled to be cold, breezy, and eventually, a bit snowy.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your car's tire pressure today. Significant temperature swings—like the 20-degree drop coming tonight—cause air to contract, which often triggers that annoying "low tire pressure" light on your dashboard. Filling them up now while it's mild will save you from standing in a freezing wind at a gas station pump tomorrow morning.