You’ve probably noticed it if you’ve ever driven from the sprawling suburbs of Montclair or the busy streets of Livingston into the quiet, tree-lined enclave of Essex Fells. The air just feels... different. It’s a bit crisper. In the winter, the snow seems to linger on the lawns here long after it’s turned to grey slush elsewhere in Essex County.
Honestly, it’s not just your imagination.
The weather Essex Fells NJ experiences is a fascinating micro-study in North Jersey geography. While the town shares a general climate with the rest of the New York metropolitan area, its specific topography—tucked away with high elevation and dense old-growth canopy—creates a weather pocket that can surprise even lifelong Garden State residents.
The High-Altitude Chill: Why Essex Fells Stays Brisk
Most people think of New Jersey as flat or coastal, but Essex Fells sits on the edge of the Watchung Mountains. This elevation is the primary driver of the local climate.
When a cold front sweeps in from the west, Essex Fells is one of the first spots in the county to feel the bite. According to data from the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, temperatures in these elevated pockets can be 2 to 4 degrees lower than in the "valley" towns like Newark or Bloomfield.
That doesn't sound like much. But in January? It’s the difference between a cold rain and a localized ice storm.
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Average Temperature Breakdown
If you're planning a move or just visiting, here is what the "normal" looks like based on long-term averages (1992–2021):
- January: The deepest chill. Expect highs around 38°F and lows dipping to 23°F. It’s the windiest month, too, with gusts often hitting 13 mph.
- July: The peak of summer. Highs average 85°F, but the humidity often makes it feel much heavier.
- The Transition Months: May and October are the "sweet spots," with highs ranging from 65°F to 71°F.
Current trends in early 2026 have been particularly stubborn. We saw a December that was nearly 5 degrees below normal statewide, and that trend has bled into January. If you’re out for a walk near the Fells Pond, you’re likely dealing with wind chills in the teens right now.
Rain, Snow, and the 50-Inch Rule
Essex Fells is a wet town.
On average, the borough receives about 51 inches of precipitation annually. That is significantly higher than the national average. Why? It’s called orographic lift. As moist air moves toward the higher terrain of the Watchungs, it’s forced upward, cools, and dumps its moisture right over towns like Essex Fells and Verona.
The Flooding Reality
Despite its beauty, the town has a complicated relationship with water. First Street Foundation’s recent climate risk reports indicate that about 14.5% of properties in Essex Fells currently face a significant risk of flooding.
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This isn't usually "river flooding" in the traditional sense, as the borough doesn't have a major river running through it. Instead, it’s a mix of urban drainage issues and hydrostatic pressure. When you get those 4-inch-per-hour downpours that have become more common in the 2020s, the hilly terrain sends all that runoff into the lower-lying basements of the borough.
The Snow Factor
Snow is where Essex Fells really shines (or frustrates, depending on if you own a shovel). The borough typically sees between 25 and 30 inches of snow a year.
Because of the heavy tree cover, the ground stays shaded. This means the "melt-off" happens much slower here. It’s common to see a foot of snow still sitting on a North Caldwell or Essex Fells lawn three days after the sun has come out and cleared the streets in West Orange.
Living With the 2026 Climate Shift
We are currently in a La Niña cycle. For North Jersey, that usually means a "rollercoaster" winter.
One week we are bracing for a clipper system bringing two inches of powdery snow—like the one currently forecast for this Saturday—and the next week we might see a "January Thaw" with temperatures hitting 50°F.
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What’s interesting is that these fluctuations are becoming more extreme. We aren't just getting "rain"; we're getting intense, localized deluges. In the last year, the northern climate division of New Jersey has seen several months with below-normal precipitation followed by single-day events that drop a month’s worth of rain in six hours.
Practical Tips for Essex Fells Residents
If you live here or are moving in, you need to respect the microclimate.
- Invest in a "Smart" Sump Pump: With the 2026 flood projections rising, having a battery backup for your sump pump isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity.
- Tree Maintenance is Mandatory: Those beautiful, towering oaks and maples are what make the town special. They are also heavy. Ice storms are frequent here, and a single "glaze" event can bring down limbs that haven't been pruned in years.
- The "Two-Degree" Rule: Always assume it is slightly colder in the Fells than the weather app on your phone says (which usually pulls data from the Essex County Airport in Fairfield or Newark Liberty). If it says 33°F and raining in Newark, grab the ice melt. It’s probably 31°F and freezing in Essex Fells.
The weather Essex Fells NJ deals with isn't just about numbers on a thermometer. It’s about the unique geography of a borough that sits just high enough to be its own little world. Keep an eye on the Saturday forecast—that coating of snow might look like a dusting in the city, but up here, it’s going to stick.
Check your gutters before the next "wetter-than-normal" system rolls through later this month. Ensuring your downspouts are diverted at least six feet from your foundation is the easiest way to combat the specific drainage challenges this hilly terrain presents.