This week is starting off with dangerously cold temperatures thanks to a blast of Arctic air, followed by two chances of snow later, according to the latest forecast.
As of Monday morning, a cold front has crossed through New Jersey, with Arctic air behind it, according to the National Weather Service. That will make high temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s. With wind chills in the 10s and 20s all day, it will be bitterly cold.
Lows Monday night will be in the single-digits and teens, which could set record lows in some areas, National Weather Service forecasters said.
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This will be an ongoing pattern for a while, forecasters warn.
“The polar vortex has been in a weakened and stretched state since late November,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “We are seeing the result as Arctic air pushes southward across the central and eastern U.S. in recent days and may continue to do so for the next couple of weeks or so in waves.”
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Things will remain cold Tuesday, though forecasters say it may be slightly warmer than Monday.
Temperatures will return to the low-to-mid-40s for Wednesday. North Jersey will see snow, Central Jersey will see a wintry mix and there will be all rain for South Jersey, National Weather Service forecasters said.
“The rain/snow line will gradually lift north throughout the day Wednesday, with precipitation changing to plain rain as far north as the Lehigh Valley, and snow may mix with rain in the southern Poconos and northern New Jersey,” National Weather Service forecasters said. “In terms of overall snowfall accumulation, can expect generally 1 to 2 inches in the higher elevations of the southern Poconos and northern New Jersey, and less than an inch down to the Fall Line.”
Thursday will see a return to below normal temperatures and may have some flurries, but mostly will be dry, forecasters said.
Arctic air comes back Friday and a clipper-like system may pass through that night, according to the National Weather Service. Models show differing results, but whatever precipitation falls will likely be snow. More arctic air builds for the weekend.
Here’s the latest forecast.
North Jersey
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 11. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Rain and snow likely before 10 a.m., then rain. High near 43. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday Night: A chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
Central Jersey
Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 11. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
South Jersey
Monday: Cloudy, with a high near 32. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 14. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.
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