Urgent Weather Changes Ahead of Thanksgiving Travel in N.J.
URGENT UPDATE: Significant weather changes are imminent in New Jersey as travelers prepare for the busy Thanksgiving week. A warm front is set to bring widespread rain starting Tuesday, November 21, drastically impacting holiday travel plans.
Clearing skies and dry conditions will settle over New Jersey tonight, but don’t let the calm facade fool you. Temperatures will drop into the upper 20s to low 30s overnight, with some inland areas potentially hitting the low to mid 20s. This brief respite will give way to a change that will affect travel days just ahead of Thanksgiving.
A weak clipper system passing to the north on Sunday could bring light showers or sprinkles to northwestern New Jersey’s higher elevations, but most areas will remain dry under partly cloudy skies. Expect high temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s, with northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph in the afternoon.
The real change begins on Tuesday, as rain will start by midday and will become more widespread by Tuesday evening, coinciding with rising temperatures into the low 60s. Rain will continue through Tuesday night, creating potentially hazardous travel conditions for those heading out for the holiday.
As the rain moves out, a cold front will sweep through on Wednesday, bringing a sharp temperature drop. Expect high temperatures in the 60s early in the day, followed by a dramatic plunge as colder air moves in. Winds will increase, with gusts expected to reach up to 30 mph.
Thanksgiving Day will be breezy and cold, with highs only reaching the mid 40s to low 50s. West winds will continue to gust, making it feel even chillier. The forecast indicates a widespread freeze is likely that night, setting the stage for a frigid Black Friday with highs struggling to reach the mid 30s to mid 40s.
Travelers are urged to stay updated on weather conditions as the week progresses, particularly with the potential for rain and colder temperatures affecting travel plans. This evolving weather situation could have significant impacts on holiday travel across the state.
Stay tuned for further updates as conditions develop.
