Big Cool Down Expected For NJ: How Long Will It Last?

NEW JERSEY — The "nicest day" so far in 2024 will be Thursday, according to weather experts. But don't expect the perfect temperatures and vibrant sunshine to last very long, the forecast suggests.

According to the National Weather Service, an approaching cold front will bring "unsettled weather to the area" with temperatures cooling off this weekend and into next week.

Unseasonably warm temps in place to close out the work week. Records will be safe, but Thursday will be the nicest day of 2024 (so far). An approaching cold front will bring unsettled weather to the area as well, then cooling off this weekend and start of the new work week. pic.twitter.com/ItfwDKZgKo
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 13, 2024

Why is the temperature dipping?

The Weather Channel reports the jet stream will flip this weekend, causing the cool down.

Low temperatures will be cold enough to bring frost and freeze conditions all the way into the South early next week, The Weather Channel predicts.

How cold will it get?

High temperatures in New Jersey will remain in the 60s for the weekend. However, the high temperature expected by Tuesday will be in the 40s. By late next week, daytime temperatures will swing back up to the mid-50s.

Low temperatures will be in the 30s starting Sunday and through the week.

How long will the cool down last?

"Longer-range models suggest this cooler East pattern could hold through the first part of next week. After a brief warm-up in the nation's mid-section around mid-week, another shot of cool air could plunge out of Canada late next week and spill east and south through Palm Sunday weekend," according to The Weather Channel.

Here's the current local forecast:

Tonight: A chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 55. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of rain, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday night: Rain likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.