By: Richard L. Smith
Newark and the North Jersey region are waking up to sharply colder conditions Wednesday morning, marking a noticeable shift from the milder weather experienced over the past several days.
Early morning temperatures across the region are hovering at or below 23 degrees, making it a cold start for residents heading out the door before sunrise.
Those catching an early bus around 4:30 a.m. are feeling the bite of winter, with temperatures sitting in the low teens in some spots and wind making it feel even colder.
In downtown Newark, conditions near Broad and Market streets feel closer to 9 degrees due to lingering breezes.
While winds are expected to gradually ease as the day goes on, the cold will remain firmly in place.
According to the National Weather Service, skies will stay sunny today with a high near 35 degrees.
Wind chill values will range between 10 and 20 degrees, with west winds blowing between 10 and 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 30 mph at times.
Looking ahead to tonight, there is a 40 percent chance of snow after 1 a.m.
Conditions will remain mostly cloudy with temperatures holding steady around 32 degrees. Winds are expected to shift to the south at around 6 mph.
Residents are advised to bundle up and prepare for winter-like conditions to close out the day. Stay warm and have a great day, New Jersey.