You’ve probably done it a hundred times this week already. You roll over, squint at your phone, and check the weather hourly Newark NJ data before deciding if it’s a "heavy coat" or "light layers" kind of day. But honestly, if you live anywhere near the Ironbound or frequently commute through Newark Liberty (EWR), you know the local microclimates are basically a law unto themselves.
Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is a perfect example of why those generic icons on your home screen can be so misleading.
The Mid-January Thaw is a Trap
Right now, Newark is sitting in a weird, mild pocket. While we saw temperatures hitting a high of 51°F earlier today—which feels positively tropical for Jersey in January—don't let that fool you. If you’re looking at the hourly breakdown, you’ll notice a steady slide. By 7:00 PM, we’re dipping into the lower 40s.
It’s that damp, heavy cold, too. Humidity is hovering around 64% to 70%, which means even a modest 6 mph breeze from the southwest feels like it’s cutting right through your jeans.
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What the Hourly Forecast for Newark Actually Looks Like
Most people just look at the big number. Big mistake. Here is what is actually happening on the ground for the next several hours:
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: We are currently overcast. Expect the temperature to hover at 41°F or 42°F, but the "RealFeel" is stuck at 34°F. If you’re walking from Penn Station, you want a scarf.
- 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: The clouds are thickening. We’ve got a 20% chance of light rain or drizzle. It won’t be a washout, but it’s enough to make the Pulaski Skyway greasy and annoying.
- Midnight and Beyond: This is where things get interesting. We’re dropping toward a low of 39°F, which is actually quite warm for this time of year, but a much bigger system is brewing for Thursday morning.
The Problem with Newark’s Microclimate
Newark is a concrete jungle, and that matters for your commute. The "urban heat island" effect means that downtown Newark often stays 2-3 degrees warmer than the surrounding suburbs in Essex County like Montclair or Livingston.
However, EWR (the airport) is right on the water. That proximity to the Newark Bay means you get wind gusts that the weather apps don't always catch in their 1-hour windows. If you're standing on an outdoor PATH platform tonight, that 9 mph wind is going to feel significantly sharper than it does in a sheltered residential street in North Ward.
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Why Tomorrow Changes Everything
If you are planning your weather hourly Newark NJ schedule for Thursday, January 15, prepare for a shock. The National Weather Service and local meteorologists like those at Rutgers are tracking a transition.
That "mild" 50-degree air we had today? It’s being chased out by a cold front. By tomorrow morning, that 20% chance of rain turns into a 60% chance of rain and snow. We’re looking at a high of only 38°F for Thursday, with temperatures plummeting to 18°F or 22°F by Thursday night.
Basically, the "January Thaw" we’ve been enjoying is about to hit a brick wall.
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Actionable Tips for the Newark Commuter
Since the hourly forecast is showing increasing dampness and a sharp drop in temperature over the next 12 hours, here is how to handle it:
- Waterproof Your Footwear: Between the 9:00 PM drizzle and the potential slush tomorrow morning, leather boots are a better bet than sneakers.
- The "Layer" Strategy: Tonight is about wind protection. Tomorrow is about insulation. If you’re heading out for a late shift or a flight, wear a shell over a sweater.
- Check the Ceiling: If you're flying out of EWR, note that the cloud ceiling is expected to drop to about 16,000 feet tonight. It shouldn't cause major delays yet, but the "Poor" air quality ratings being reported by some sensors mean visibility might feel a bit hazy.
The most important thing to remember about Newark weather is that the "hourly" part is just an estimate. In a city squeezed between a bay, a river, and miles of asphalt, the conditions can change in twenty minutes. Keep an eye on the radar, not just the temperature.
Stay warm, and maybe keep an ice scraper in the car for tomorrow morning. You’re going to need it.