1st Snow Of Season Falls In NJ. When Will More Return?

NEW JERSEY — The season's first measurable round of flurries hit New Jersey this week, far ahead of the state's average snowfall date.

The average date of New Jersey’s first snow varies depending on the region, but it usually occurs in December, according to statistics from the National Weather Service. The weather service defines “measurable snow” as one-tenth of an inch or more on the ground — or a light coating.

Sussex County saw its first measurable snow of the season early Monday morning in High Point State Park. The area is typically the first to see snow in New Jersey, with an average date of Dec. 2, though in previous years the region has seen snow as early as Oct. 1.

Per NJ.com, the average date of the first measurable snow in Newark is Dec. 7, in New Brunswick it’s Dec. 8 and in Atlantic City it’s Dec. 19.

Northern and central New Jersey will occasionally see a light coating of snow on the ground as early as late October, and sometimes South Jersey sees its first coating in November. Though there have been rare occasions where the state didn’t see its first snow until January or February.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted in October that New Jersey could be in for a slightly warmer, more mild winter due to the developing La Niña pattern.

New Jersey typically records average or below-average snowfall amounts, according to Warren County-based WeatherWorks’ 2021-2022 Winter Forecast Preview. During some La Niña winters, however, the Garden State has gotten hit with heavy snow.

Read more: Snowier, Colder Winter Expected In New Jersey This Year

Forecasters from the National Weather Service have been monitoring a cold front that ushered in colder air over the weekend, with temperatures dipping into the low 30s overnight.

Later this week, temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 50s and mid-60s on Wednesday and Thursday.

Here’s this week’s forecast:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Thursday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.