Temperatures to Moderate (Dec 20-22)

Discussion: I believe not one single NJ town or city rose above freezing today for high temperatures. Tonight will be another Arctic-influenced bitter night with overnight temperatures ranging from single digits in NNJ elevations to upper-teens/lower-20s along the immediate SNJ coast. Most of New Jersey should drop into the teens. We then begin a gradual temperature moderation through the weekend with highs getting back into the 40s by Sunday. While still cold it should feel mild after the stupid cold we’re enduring now. Basically once the current upper-level trough moves away to the E an area of ridging will build strongly into the north central and north eastern US. This will form a block in said area keeping the Dec 21-23 storm signal way to the S closer to Florida. It’s the kind of block a snow lover wants to see in Greenland for a Mid-Atlantic US storm system…just shifted very far S. The upper-levels looks highly anomalous with respect to 500mb geopotential height anomalies well through next week. The next period of lower heights should arrive near New Years and therefore that’s when I suspect we’ll be tracking our next snow event. Until then enjoy the dry and milder conditions for holiday travel.

Friday (Dec 20) high temperatures should reach into the mid-30s for most areas. Skies should be mostly sunny. Winds should be light out of the NW. Overnight lows should range from near-10 to lower-20s NNJ to SNJ.

Saturday (Dec 21) high temperatures should range from near-30 to near-40 NNJ to SNJ. Skies should feature both sun and clouds. Winds should be light out of the SE. Overnight lows should range from near-20 to near-30 NNJ to SNJ.

Sunday (Dec 22) high temperatures should reach into the mid-40s for most areas. Skies should feature both sun and clouds. Winds should be light out of the SW. Overnight lows should range from upper-20s to near-40 NNJ to SNJ.

An early look at next week indicates temperature moderation lasting into the first half of the week. We’re talking highs in the low-to-mid 40s NW of the turnpike and upper-40s/lower-50s SE of the turnpike. The week looks mostly dry which should mitigate any holiday travel weather concerns. After the Christmas period we then look towards a few winter storm signals closer to New Years. An inactive period for now. Have a great weekend and please be safe! JC

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Jonathan Carr

Jonathan Carr (JC) is the founder and sole operator of Weather NJ, New Jersey’s largest independent weather reporting agency. Since 2010, Jonathan has provided weather safety and forecasting services for New Jersey and immediate surrounding areas through the web and social media. Originally branded as Severe NJ Weather (before 2014), Weather NJ is proud to bring you accurate and responsible discussions ahead of high-stakes weather scenarios that impact the garden state. All Weather. All New Jersey.™