By: Richard L. Smith
This is quickly becoming the song that never ends across Newark and much of North Jersey as we wake up once again to frigid conditions under a deep freeze that has lingered for more than a week.
Good morning, Jersey. It is bitterly cold out there. As of 4:30 a.m., temperatures in Newark were hovering around 12 degrees, but the wind chill was making it feel closer to 8 degrees.
Congratulations, we’ve made it to Friday, but don’t let that fool you. Today is shaping up to be the coldest day of the week, at least in terms of how it will feel.
Across the region, temperatures are brutal. Sussex County is near 7 degrees, Morristown around 9, Hillside checking in at 6, and Edison at about 10 degrees.
Wind chills are pushing conditions below zero in several of these areas, making it feel even more dangerous to be outdoors.
You’ll want every layer you own before heading out the door today, and limit your time outside as much as possible.
Frostbite can set in quickly under conditions like this. While we’ll see plenty of sunshine, it won’t offer much relief.
High temperatures will struggle to reach the teens, but it won’t feel anything close to that. Wind chills across much of New Jersey — especially North Jersey, will range from single digits to below zero.
Forecast for today calls for sunny and cold conditions, with a high near 19 degrees. Wind chill values will range between -10 and zero, with west winds between 9 and 14 mph.
Tonight will remain frigid, with partly cloudy skies and lows around 3 degrees. Wind chill values will stay between -5 and zero, with west winds from 5 to 7 mph.
Stay warm, New Jersey.