Get Ready New Jersey for an Upcoming Weather Shift

Get Ready New Jersey for an Upcoming Weather Shift

Forecasters predict that New Jersey's springtime sunshine and 60 degree temps early this week will soon give way to heavy showers and weeks of below-average temperatures.

This week in the Northeast, the erratic nature of spring will be evident, according to Accuweather, "with dramatic temperature swings, rainy weather and even snow on tap into the start of May."

Although snow isn't predicted for New Jersey (though it might be in New York and New England further north), temperatures will drop into the 40s and potentially the high 30s throughout the weekend.

According to Accuweather forecaster Bill Deger, "the steadiest and locally heavy rain will fall in the Wednesday through Wednesday night time frame as the storm moves over." "There may be isolated flooding in some low-lying and poor-drainage regions, which will affect commutes during the middle of the week."

"Chillier air arriving behind the storm via vigorous north and northwesterly winds will lower temperatures to 5-15 degrees below historical averages in most regions for the second half of the week through at least the first weekend of May," Deger wrote.

According to local projections, temperatures in some areas of the state are expected to plunge into the 30s from Thursday through Sunday.

Deger said, "There could even be some extremely late-season snow in the mountains of northern New England and the Adirondacks of northern New York, along with residual moisture across New England."

Forecasters emphasized that the rain is urgently needed.

More than half of the East Coast was unusually dry, with some areas facing drought conditions, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

Accuweather says, "Beyond the weekend, temperatures may rise again briefly in the Northeast, but AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters expect the first half of May to largely be on the cooler side compared to average."

The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center (above) shows below normal temperatures in the region at least through May 11. Check the local weather forecast.