Cold Snap, Rain To Kick Off Spring Start In NJ

NEW JERSEY - A winter-like temperature drop is in store for the Garden State, even as the official start to spring kicks off on Tuesday.

Below normal March temperatures in the are in the cards for New Jersey, as well as fierce wind gusts over 30 mph, the National Weather Service said. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are on track to have the coldest daytime temperatures in the 40s; nighttime temperatures will mostly drop below freezing.

Related: Allergy Season Ramps Up Early In NJ, But Switch To La Niña Offers Hope

A chance of showers is expected Wednesday afternoon, with a second storm possible Friday night into early Saturday. The latter storm may bring up to a quarter-inch of precipitation to the state as well as wind gusts up to 20 mph.

AccuWeather says temperatures will feel between 5 to 15 degrees lower than the actual temperature depending on the time of the day.

Aside from chilly temperature and likely rainfall, wind and low humidity will increase wildfire danger this week, the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said, especially in the Pinelands.

“While large fires are rare in much of our region, the New Jersey Pinelands are a very big exception,” the weather service said. “Remember, large fires are most common in spring before leafout!”

Here's the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Central Jersey

Monday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 51. West wind around 15 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 47. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Breezy.

South Jersey

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind around 15 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Blustery.