'Code Blue' Alert Issued Amidst Winter Weather: What This Means In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Garden State is bracing for blistering cold weather over the next few days, and officials have activated resources to respond.

While northern New Jersey is not estimated to have much snow accumulation, the high temperatures for the areas in and around Union County are slated to fall between the upper-20s and upper-30s, the National Weather Service said.

Union County, like much of New Jersey, will be under a "Code Blue" state from Friday through Dec. 8. When temperatures fall below freezing and weather could harm unsheltered individuals, a group of agencies across the state activate resources within their communities.

Under a "Code Blue," county offices of emergency management and municipalities are able to organize shelter and warming sites for residents and those who are homeless.

Union County will be under a "Code Blue" from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Friday through Monday.

Safety resources and a warming shelter will be available at the following sites:

• Union County Department of Social Services (200 West 2nd St., Plainfield)
• Union County Division of Social Services (342 Westminster Ave., Elizabeth)
• Mount Olive Baptist Church (216 Liberty St., Plainfield)

Additional assistance and resources to combat the cold weather can be found by visiting the Red Cross NJ website.

Forecast For North Jersey

Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 29. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow between midnight and 4 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 30.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33.

MORE FROM PATCH: Update On Dozens Left Homeless After Deadly Fire In Union County