You’re driving down Broad Street, the sun is hitting those historic brick facades just right, and honestly, you think you’ve got a handle on the day. Then, boom. The sky turns that weird shade of bruised purple, and you’re sprinting for cover under a Victorian porch. That is the weather in Woodbury NJ for you. It’s unpredictable, occasionally dramatic, and carries a specific kind of Mid-Atlantic sass that keeps residents constantly checking their apps.
Most people think of New Jersey weather as a monolith—either freezing or sweltering. But Woodbury, tucked away in Gloucester County, sits in a bit of a sweet spot that behaves differently than, say, the Pine Barrens or the Jersey Shore. It’s categorized under the humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), which is basically a fancy way of saying we get a little bit of everything, often all in the same week.
The Reality of Weather in Woodbury NJ
If you’re looking for a boring, steady climate, you’re in the wrong place.
January is usually the reality check. It’s cold. Really cold. We’re talking average highs of around 41°F, but the nights will regularly dip into the mid-20s. If you’ve lived here through a few winters, you know the "Woodbury damp." Because we aren’t far from the Delaware River, the cold feels heavier. It’s a wet cold that gets into your bones, making 30 degrees feel more like 15.
Then there is the snow. Woodbury isn't exactly the North Pole, but we average about 20 to 21 inches of the white stuff a year. February is usually the culprit for the biggest drifts, averaging about 7 inches. But here's the thing: it rarely stays. One day you’re shoveling a foot of snow, and three days later, a warm front pushes up from the south, and the neighborhood is a giant puddle of slush because it hit 50 degrees.
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Spring: The Great Muddy Awakening
March and April are basically a tug-of-war.
One week you’re seeing the first crocuses pop up near the Gloucester County Courthouse, and the next, there’s a frost warning. March is actually our windiest month, with gusts averaging around 17 mph. It’s that biting wind that makes early spring feel like winter’s last-ditch effort to stay relevant.
- March: Highs near 53°F, but watch out for those rain-snow mixes.
- April: The "comfort zone" begins. Highs hit the mid-60s.
- May: This is arguably the best month in the city. Everything is green, and the humidity hasn't quite started its summer chokehold yet.
Why Summer Hits Differently Here
July is the heavyweight champion of heat in Woodbury. Average highs sit around 88°F, but don't let that number fool you. The humidity is the real story. Because Woodbury is low-lying—only about 30 to 50 feet above sea level—and close to the water, the dew points can get oppressive.
It gets muggy. Kinda gross, honestly.
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By mid-afternoon in August, the air feels thick enough to chew. This is also when we see the most rain. July and August are actually the wettest months, averaging nearly 4.5 inches of precipitation each. These aren't all-day drizzles, though. Usually, it's those massive, localized thunderstorms that roll through around 4:00 PM, drop two inches of rain in an hour, and then vanish, leaving the air even steamier than before.
Hurricanes and Nor'easters
We have to talk about the big stuff. Woodbury isn't on the coast, so we don't get the direct storm surges that hammer Atlantic City, but we aren't safe. History proves it. Remember Hurricane Ida in 2021? That system sent tornadoes spinning through Gloucester County, including an EF3 that tore through nearby Mullica Hill.
When a tropical system tracks up the coast, Woodbury gets the "dirty side" of the storm—the heavy rain and the wind.
The city has a long history with flooding, especially in the low-lying areas near Woodbury Creek. Significant events, like the September 1940 storm or the more recent impacts of Hurricane Floyd and Irene, showed that 10+ inches of rain can turn local streets into rivers. If you’re living here, you learn to keep an eye on the creek levels when the NWS starts talking about "tropical moisture."
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The "Sweet Spot" Seasons
If you’re planning a visit or just want to enjoy a walk through Wing-Dickerson Park, you want the shoulder seasons.
Most locals agree that late September through October is the peak of Woodbury living. The humidity drops off a cliff. The skies clear up—September is actually our clearest month, with clouds only hanging around about 38% of the time. The foliage along the historic streets is incredible, and the temperatures sit in that perfect 65°F to 75°F range.
Mid-April to early June is the other window. It’s the "comfortable weather" period that lasts about 140 days a year here. It’s when the wind dies down, the sun is out for about 9 or 10 hours a day, and you don't need an ark to get to the grocery store.
Dealing with the Extremes: Actionable Advice
Living with the weather in Woodbury NJ requires a bit of local strategy. It’s not just about having an umbrella; it’s about knowing how the city breathes.
- Check the Dew Point, Not Just the Temp: In July, a 85-degree day with a 50-degree dew point is lovely. The same temperature with a 72-degree dew point is "stay inside and crank the AC" weather.
- Winter Prep for the "Damp": Because our winters are more humid than the Midwest, ice is a bigger problem than snow. Salt your walkways early. The freeze-thaw cycle here is brutal on concrete and car batteries.
- The 4:00 PM Rule: In the summer, if the sky looks dark towards the southwest (towards the Delaware Memorial Bridge), move your outdoor plans. Those storms move fast and pack a punch.
- Basement Management: If you live in one of the historic homes near the creek or downtown, get a high-quality sump pump with a battery backup. The "billion-dollar disasters" mentioned by NOAA often involve inland flooding that catches homeowners off guard.
The weather here is a reflection of the town itself: historic, sturdy, but capable of surprising you if you stop paying attention. Whether it's the 100-degree heat waves or the sudden February blizzards, Woodbury keeps you on your toes.
Invest in a good coat that's actually waterproof, keep a scraper in your car until at least late April, and make sure you have a "go-bag" for those rare but real flash flood emergencies. Being prepared means you get to spend less time worrying about the forecast and more time enjoying the unique charm of Gloucester County’s county seat.