Man, New Jersey weather is just doing its thing again. If you were hoping for a quiet, predictable end to January, the weather for NJ this weekend is basically here to laugh in your face. We’ve been dealing with this weird back-and-forth between "is it winter?" and "wait, why is it 50 degrees?" but the upcoming weekend of January 24th and 25th is finally picking a side. Spoiler: it’s the cold side.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how quickly the models shifted. Just a few days ago, people were talking about another "January thaw," but now we're looking at a setup that feels a lot more like a classic Garden State freezer. If you've lived here long enough, you know the drill. You check the app, it says "sunny," and then you walk outside and the wind off the Raritan or the Atlantic nearly takes your skin off.
The Saturday Setup: Dry but Brutal
Saturday, January 24, is looking like a bit of a tease. According to the latest data for the Mount Holly area and the I-95 corridor, we’re looking at a high of only 18°F. 18 degrees! That is a massive reality check after some of the milder days we've seen earlier this month. Even with the sun poking through—it’s expected to be partly sunny—the wind is the real story.
We're expecting north winds around 11 mph. Now, that might not sound like a hurricane, but when the air is already that cold, the wind chill is going to keep things feeling like they're in the single digits or even near zero in North Jersey spots like Sussex or High Point. It’s basically a "stay inside and order a Taylor Ham/Pork Roll sandwich" kind of day.
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- High Temp: 18°F (Brutal, right?)
- Low Temp: 10°F (Getting into pipe-freezing territory)
- Sky: Partly sunny, but don't let the light fool you.
- Wind: North at 11 mph.
Most people get Saturday wrong by thinking "oh, the sun is out, I can just wear a light jacket." Big mistake. Huge. You've gotta layer up if you're heading to a high school basketball game or just hitting the grocery store.
Sunday: Clouds, Flurries, and the "January Gloom"
Sunday, January 25, doesn't offer much of a warmup. In fact, the high is actually predicted to be a degree lower at 17°F. We’re moving from "partly sunny" to "mostly cloudy" as a weak system starts to slide toward the coast. While some long-range models earlier in the week hinted at a bigger rainy/milder system, the current consensus has trended much colder and drier.
Basically, it’s looking like a lot of grey. You might see some light snow flurries—the chance is sitting around 10%—but nothing that’s going to require a shovel. It’s more of that "atmospheric dandruff" that just makes the sky look like a dirty fleece blanket.
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For the Shore points, usually, we'd see a bit of a buffer from the ocean, but even Atlantic City is looking at highs barely scraping 25°F for the start of the week following the weekend. The "coastal cushion" is effectively popped this time around.
Why the Polar Vortex is Messing With Us
The real culprit behind the weather for NJ this weekend is a lobe of the polar vortex that’s finally decided to sag south. Experts like the crew at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly have been watching this Arctic air front dive through the Central and Eastern U.S. all week.
We’re essentially trapped in a "deep trough." Think of it like a giant cold-air slide that starts in Canada and ends right on top of MetLife Stadium. While the West Coast is staying unseasonably warm, we’re paying the price. This isn't just a "chilly" weekend; it's a legitimate Arctic intrusion.
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There's a lot of talk about La Niña this year, and while it's been a bit of a "weak" one, it’s still influencing the storm tracks. We aren't seeing those massive, moisture-heavy Nor'easters yet because the air is just too dry and the storms are getting pushed further out to sea.
How to Actually Prep for This
Look, I’m not your mom, but New Jersey winters are famous for catching people off guard. When we hit lows of 10°F on Saturday night, that’s when things start to break.
- Check your tires: Cold air makes tire pressure drop faster than a bad stock. If your "low air" light wasn't on yesterday, it probably will be by Sunday morning.
- Drip those faucets: If you live in an older house in places like Jersey City or Newark where the insulation is... questionable... keep a tiny drip going in the sinks on exterior walls.
- Pet Safety: If it’s too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt for five minutes, it’s too cold for your dog to be out there without some paw protection or a very short walk.
It's sorta funny—we spend all summer complaining about the humidity and the Parkway traffic, and then we get hit with a 17-degree Sunday and suddenly the beach at Cape May sounds like a distant dream.
The silver lining? Monday (January 26) is looking sunny. It'll still be cold (high of 26°F), but at least the wind might die down a bit. For now, the weather for NJ this weekend is a firm reminder that winter isn't done with us. Not even close.
Next Steps for Your Weekend:
- Seal any drafty windows by Friday night to keep your heating bill from skyrocketing.
- Check your car battery; these 10-degree nights are notorious for killing older batteries that were already struggling.
- Plan indoor activities for Sunday, as the grey skies and 17-degree temps are a recipe for a "couch and Netflix" day.