New Jersey is messy today. If you looked out your window this morning in Sussex or Morris County, you probably saw a decent blanket of white. Down in Cape May? It's just a cold, annoying rain. That's basically the Garden State in a nutshell, isn't it? We never can just have one type of weather across all 21 counties.
Honestly, today—Saturday, January 17, 2026—feels like one of those "limbo" days. We are smack in the middle of a massive political handoff, a winter weather double-header, and some weirdly specific local events that have people driving all over the Turnpike. Whether you’re trying to figure out if you need to shovel before the next round hits or you’re looking for a place to take the kids for free, here is the ground truth on what is happening in NJ today.
The Snow Situation: Round One is Down, Round Two is Loading
Let's talk about the slush. Northern New Jersey got the "pretty" version of this storm. Parts of North Jersey saw about 4 to 5 inches earlier today. It came down fast, too.
But if you're along the NJ Turnpike corridor, it’s been more of a "gray slush" situation. It's the kind of weather that makes your car look like it was dipped in salt and sadness. Further south, the "freezing line" basically set up camp between Trenton and New Brunswick. If you live south of that, you likely didn't see much more than a cold rain and maybe some ice pellets hitting the windshield.
The real headache isn't what happened this morning; it's what's coming. Forecasters like Dan Zarrow are already warning that Sunday’s storm is trending heavier. We’re looking at a coastal storm that could be an all-day event tomorrow.
- Tonight's Lows: Dropping into the upper 20s.
- The Big Risk: Black ice. Since we had all that rain and melting slush today, everything is going to flash-freeze overnight.
- Sunday Morning: Expect spotty snow to start bubbling up from the southwest before sunrise.
If you have to be on the roads tonight, please, just take it easy. The I-95 stretch is notorious for those invisible icy patches once the sun goes down.
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A Free Museum Day (Thanks, Mikie Sherrill)
If you're wondering why the parking lots at the Liberty Science Center or the Battleship New Jersey look like a madhouse today, there’s a political reason for it.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is set to be sworn in on January 20th. As a sort of "pre-party" for the inauguration, a dozen museums across the state have opened their doors for free or discounted admission today only. It’s a smart move to get some goodwill before the hard work of Trenton starts.
I’ve heard from a few people that the Edelman Fossil Park in Sewell is packed. It’s one of those spots where you can actually dig for 66-million-year-old fossils. If you’re in South Jersey, that’s usually a tough ticket to get, so "free" is a huge draw.
Over in Camden, the Battleship New Jersey is doing its thing. It’s a weirdly perfect day for it—the gray skies actually make the ship look more intimidating. Just remember that each museum has its own "select parameters" for the free entry, so don't just roll up at 4:00 PM expecting to get in for nothing.
The Pokemon Invasion at Bell Works
If you aren't into politics or history, you might be one of the thousands of people currently at Bell Works in Holmdel.
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The "Pokemon Market" is happening right now. We’re talking 320+ tables of cards, plushies, and art. If you’ve never been to Bell Works, it’s that giant "metroburb" in the old Bell Labs building. It’s a cool space, but when you cram a few thousand Eevee fans in there, it gets loud.
It’s free to attend, which is probably why the traffic on Crawford Corner Road has been a nightmare all morning. If you’re heading there this afternoon, park in the back lots. Trust me.
The Political Shift: Murphy’s Exit and the Sherrill Era
While we’re all worrying about snow shovels, the vibe in Trenton is shifting fast. Governor Phil Murphy just signed a massive pair of charter school reform bills (A5935 and A5936).
This is basically his "legacy" move. It modernizes laws that haven't been touched in 30 years.
- Transparency: Charter schools now have to be way more open about their budgets.
- Stability: High-performing schools can get 10-year renewals instead of the shorter cycles.
- The Ban: No more for-profit or purely virtual charter schools in the future.
Meanwhile, Mikie Sherrill is already picking her team. She just nominated Ed Potosnak to lead the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). It’s a clear signal that she’s going to be aggressive on climate and conservation.
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There’s a lot of "honeymoon phase" energy in the air right now. People are hopeful, but also a bit nervous about how she'll handle the thin GOP majority that’s been flexing its muscles lately. Just last week, some Republicans joined Democrats to sink a labor bill, proving that the old "party line" isn't as solid as it used to be.
Quick Hits: What Else You Need to Know
- Devils vs. Hurricanes: The New Jersey Devils are playing the Hurricanes today. If you're heading to the Prudential Center, give yourself an extra 30 minutes for parking because of the slush and the light snow.
- Newark Airport: There have been some "service disruptions" on the AirTrain today. If you're flying out, maybe don't rely on the train to get you between terminals. Check the status before you leave the house.
- Bayville: There’s a free rabies clinic for cats and dogs at the Berkeley Township location on Atlantic City Blvd. It’s a small thing, but hey, if you need it, it’s there until the early afternoon.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of Your Saturday
Don't let the "limbo" feeling of today waste your afternoon. New Jersey moves fast, even when it's icy.
1. Prep for Sunday's Snow Now.
Don't wait until 8:00 AM tomorrow to realize your shovel is buried under a pile of summer gear in the garage. With the "westward nudge" in the forecast models, Sunday looks like a real-deal snow event for almost everyone in the state. If you’re in North Jersey, you might be looking at another 4-6 inches on top of what's already there.
2. Check the Museum List.
If you want to take advantage of the Sherrill Inaugural free days, check the specific hours for the NJ State Museum in Trenton or the Monmouth Museum. Most of these deals end when the doors close today, so you’ve got a narrow window.
3. Watch the Ice.
The temp is going to crater tonight. Whatever melted today is going to turn into a skating rink by 9:00 PM. If you're walking the dog or coming home late from the Devils game, watch the black ice on those side streets.
New Jersey is a lot of things, but it's never boring. Between the changing of the guard in Trenton and the sky dumping a mix of rain and snow on us, there's plenty to keep track of. Stay warm, stay off the icy patches, and maybe go find a rare Charizard at Bell Works if that’s your speed.
Next Steps:
- Monitor the National Weather Service (Mt. Holly or New York offices) for the updated Sunday morning snowfall totals.
- If you're planning to travel via NJ Transit, check the app for "Weather Emergency" delays which are likely to start early Sunday morning.
- Visit the official Inaugural website if you want to see the full schedule of events leading up to Tuesday's ceremony.