New Jersey is set for a significant temperature change this weekend, with overnight wind chill values dropping into the single digits and teens from Friday night into Saturday, before rising back to the 50s by Sunday afternoon.
This morning is starting off cold again, with forecasters predicting a breezy Friday and highs in the 30s. However, the winds won’t be as strong as they were on Thursday.
Winds are expected to gust between 20 and 30 mph, adding to the chill in the air despite mostly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds will ease to around 5 to 10 mph overnight, while temperatures drop into the low to mid 20s, with wind chill values potentially falling even lower.
Expect a sunny Saturday with temperatures a bit warmer, followed by a cloudy night with lows in the 20s.
On Sunday afternoon, temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s with plenty of sunshine. Both days will have calm weather.
Expect light rain on Monday with temperatures reaching the low 50s once more. Expect more rain Tuesday night through Wednesday. Tuesday will see temperatures in the 40s, while Wednesday will bring a rise to the 50s.
New Jersey continues to face severe or extreme drought conditions, as indicated by the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor published earlier this week.
On Thursday, New Jersey experienced its strongest wind gusts, reaching 53 mph in both Seaside Heights, Ocean County, and Millville, Cumberland County, according to the weather service. Cape May along with Mantoloking, Lakehurst, and Beach Haven in Ocean County recorded a wind gust of 52 mph.
Winds reached gusts of 49 mph at Newark Liberty International Airport. Many locations in New Jersey experienced wind gusts reaching 40 mph or more.
As of 7 a.m. Friday, fewer than 500 homes and businesses are still without power, a significant decrease from over 14,000 on Thursday afternoon.