Preparing for Christmas: Possible Snow or Rain in the Forecast for NJ

Preparing for Christmas: Possible Snow or Rain in the Forecast for NJ

In a single day, the weather in New Jersey has drastically changed, going from warm and stormy on Friday to quiet and cold on Saturday.

Before a storm system moves in late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the Garden State will experience dry and seasonable weather on Saturday and Sunday due to an area of high pressure.

According to the National Weather Service, the system could deliver a thin layer of snow to New Jersey before temperatures increase and the snow transforms into rain or a wintry mix.

Even though there won't be much precipitation, the timing can affect the Tuesday morning commute.

Sunny skies with highs in the mid 30s to low 40s are predicted by the weather service for Saturday throughout the state. Throughout the day, there will be light winds that move from the west to the southwest at a speed of no more than 10 mph.

There will be more clouds on Saturday night, with lows in the mid 20s inland and low 30s close to the shore.

A dry cold front is expected to pass across the area on Sunday, bringing with it somewhat warmer temperatures in the low to mid-40s. Behind the front, however, northwest winds will become gusty, with persistent winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts of 25 to 30 mph, perhaps reaching 35 mph in some places late in the day.

Sunday night's temperatures will drop into the 20s with persistent winds and 20–25 mph gusts.

Monday will see the return of high pressure with colder temperatures and lighter winds, with highs only reaching the mid to upper 30s.

Late Monday night into Tuesday is when the next weather system is expected to arrive.

According to forecasters, light snow may fall before sunrise on Tuesday due to the colder, drier air ahead of the storm system. It may then turn into a mixture of light snow and rain or just plain rain close to the shore on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday morning, air coming in from the southwest will contribute to higher temperatures and, in most places, turn precipitation into all-out rain.

According to the weather service, there is a chance of light snow or a wintry mix, but precipitation volumes and intensity are probably going to be low, which will restrict major effects.

With pleasant conditions and highs in the 40s, high pressure will momentarily return to the area on Wednesday, Christmas Eve.

Although forecast models show significant fluctuation, another weather system might pass close by on Friday or Christmas Day. Any precipitation with this system is more likely to occur as rain, according to the overall trend. Check the latest forecast.