Near-Freezing Temperatures Prompt Frost Advisory In NJ

NEW JERSEY - A layer of frost across the Garden State on Wednesday has the potential to kill vegetation, forecasters warn, with more on the way Thursday.

Freezing or near-freezing temperatures overnight have prompted frost formation in New Jersey, with a frost advisory in place until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. Following a sunny Wednesday afternoon with highs in the mid-50s, another round of frost is set to hit the state overnight into Thursday.

As of Wednesday morning, 14 New Jersey counties are under a frost advisory. Here are the affected counties:

• Middlesex
• Passaic
• Bergen
• Essex
• Union
• Monmouth
• Mercer
• Salem
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Cumberland
• Atlantic

“Temperatures in the middle 30s and a light wind will allow for the development of frost. Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered,” the National Weather Service said in a frost advisory. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”

Commuters planning to travel Wednesday morning are advised to have an ice scraper handy as overnight temperatures plummeted as low as 30 to 32 degrees in areas like Millville, Lakehurst, Morristown and Somerville.

In fact, many Northeast regions this week are likely to experience the lowest temperatures since late April or earlier, AccuWeather reported. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures may also be within a few degrees of freezing from Washington, D.C., to Boston and, due to an active breeze, should feel no higher than the 30s in New Jersey.

The good news: the frost is expected to dissipate after Thursday morning, with warmer temperatures coming to the Garden State just in time for the weekend. Friday is slated to heat up to a temperate 63 degrees, while the weekend may see temperatures pushing 70 degrees.

Here’s the latest forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 39. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.