If you’ve ever stood on East Ridgewood Avenue mid-January, you know that bone-deep chill that makes you question why humans ever settled in North Jersey. Honestly, the weather in ridgewood nj is a bit of a local legend. It’s not just "four seasons." It’s a chaotic mix of humid summers that feel like a sauna and winters that can go from a light dusting of snow to a full-blown Superstorm Sandy sequel in forty-eight hours.
Right now, as of January 16, 2026, we’re sitting in the thick of it. It’s currently a crisp 21°F outside, but with that 9 mph wind coming out of the west, it feels more like 10°F. If you’re heading out for coffee tonight, bring the heavy coat. The sky is clear with periodic clouds, which sounds nice, but don't let the "clear" part fool you—the humidity is at 45%, and it’s predictably freezing.
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Why the Ridgewood Climate is Basically a Mood Swing
Living here means owning a very specific wardrobe. You need the $800 parka for January and a stack of linen shirts for August. Most people think New Jersey is just "temperate," but Ridgewood sits in this pocket where the weather likes to show off.
January is technically our coldest month. We usually see highs around 38°F and lows around 24°F. But check this out: today’s high is only 35°F, and we’re looking at a low of 20°F tonight. It’s actually colder than the "historical average" right now. Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, things get even weirder. We’re expecting snow with a high of 38°F and a 65% chance of precipitation during the day. It’s that classic Jersey slush-maker weather.
The transition seasons—spring and fall—are where the village really shines. September is arguably the best month. The sky is clear about 63% of the time, and the humidity finally stops making your hair double in size.
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The Heat is No Joke
July is the heavy hitter. You’re looking at average highs of 85°F, but with the humidity, the "feels like" temperature often spikes into the 90s.
It gets sticky. Really sticky.
The Village often turns into a literal heat island because of the paved downtown areas. If you aren't near a pool or a high-powered AC unit by 2:00 PM in July, you’re basically a slow-cooking brisket. Interestingly, July is also our wettest month, averaging about 5 inches of rain. It usually comes in those massive, late-afternoon thunderstorms that shake the windows and then disappear in twenty minutes, leaving the air even steamier than before.
Surviving the Ridgewood "Squeeze"
What a lot of newcomers don't realize is that Ridgewood is a high-risk flood zone. About 21% of properties here have a major risk of flooding over the next few decades. We aren't just talking about the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook overflowing. We’re talking about the remnants of hurricanes like Ida or Irene that turned parking lots near Village Hall into literal ponds.
- Check your pipes: When it drops to 20°F like it is tonight, let your faucets drip. It’s a cliché because it works.
- The Gutter Game: If you don't clean your gutters before the November freezes, you’re asking for ice dams. Ridgewood has so many old-growth trees that your gutters will fill up in a single weekend.
- Smart911: If you aren't registered for the village's alert system, do it. When the weather in ridgewood nj gets nasty, the police and OEM send out texts that are way more accurate than a generic weather app.
A Quick Look at the Next Week
If you’re planning your week, keep the shovel handy.
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- Saturday (Jan 17): Snow is the main event. 65% chance.
- Sunday (Jan 18): Light snow continues, but it’s colder—high of 36°F.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): This is the real "polar vortex" day. A high of only 21°F and a low of 14°F. That’s significantly below the typical January low of 24°F.
It’s a brutal stretch. Even Monday, which should be sunny, is going to bottom out at 15°F. This isn't the time for "light layers." This is the time for thermals and wool socks.
Honestly, the best way to handle the local climate is to embrace the extremes. We complain about the snow in January, then complain about the 90-degree humidity in July. It’s part of the Ridgewood identity. Just remember that while the winters feel long, the spring blossoms at Van Neste Square are only a few months away.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your home's insulation and seal any drafts around windows tonight, as temperatures are forecasted to drop to 14°F by Tuesday. Register for the Ridgewood Smart911 alert system at the village website to receive localized emergency weather updates directly from the Office of Emergency Management.