Freeze Warning Issued For Several NJ Counties: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Cold, wintry weather is here to stay in New Jersey, with temperatures expected to drop down to the low 30s again overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Another freeze is expected to hit most of the state on Thursday night with sub-freezing temperatures in the latest forecast. Northwestern counties could see a hard freeze with temperatures as low as 26 degrees tonight, which could potentially cause "catastrophic damage" to unprotected vegetation, the service said.

A freeze warning effective from 11 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. on Friday has been issued for Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties — areas that have not seen their first freeze of the season yet, according to the National Weather Service.

The freezing conditions have the potential to kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

"Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold," the agency said. "To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing."

No frost advisories or freeze warnings were issued in central and northern New Jersey since the growing season had already ended in those areas, according to the weather service. The growing season is determined to be over when at least half of a county has seen freezing temperatures.

Several areas saw their first freeze of the season on Thursday morning, marking an end to the growing season in Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, the service said.

Several other counties saw a freeze this morning, ending the growing season. Including:
In PA: Delaware and Philadelphia.
In NJ: Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex.
In DE: New Castle.#DEWX #NJWX #PAWX pic.twitter.com/phb5K1Ux0X
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) November 4, 2021

The latest predictions from meteorologists at AccuWeather lay out two potential possibilities for later this week into early next week. Under one of the scenarios, a rainy storm front coming from the southeast could intensify as it drives north, potentially turning to snow by the time it reaches New Jersey.

"By Friday, the storm could then march up the East Coast, spreading rain, wind and perhaps the first snow of the season across the higher elevations away from the coast," AccuWeather says. "The potential for snowfall in this scenario would begin to unfold perhaps as far south as the Blue Ridge Mountains Thursday night into Friday."

Under a second potential scenario, a weaker storm would move through the region faster, leaving a majority of the northeast dry late this week and into the weekend.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.