Polar Vortex Freezes NJ: See How Long It’ll Last

NEW JERSEY — This week, the Garden State is experiencing not only the coldest temperatures so far this winter, but some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in years, according to forecasters.

This cold weather is due to the Arctic polar vortex - a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the North Pole. During wintertime and when the jet stream allows, the vortex can head further south as is happening now, blasting the U.S. with frigid air.

A cold weather advisory has been issued statewide through 12 p.m. Wednesday, with wind chills expected to get as low as 10 below zero, according to the National Weather Service. In conditions like this, frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes.

The last time temperatures were this low in the area was December of 2022.

“This has been a cold month over a large portion of the country, but up until now, the cold has not been extreme over a large part of the country. The most remarkable aspect of the recent cold has been its persistence,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Northeast U.S. Expert Bob Larson said. “The extreme cold outbreak now arriving adds an exclamation mark to what has already been a cold month of January, which according to historical average, is on average, the coldest month of the year.”

Wednesday will see wind chills only reaching the teens, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday will start out frigid, but as the day goes on, things will warm up into the 30s near the coast and the 20s elsewhere, National Weather Service forecasters said.

By Sunday and Monday, temperatures will have returned to the average for this time of year, into the mid-30s. While it won't be warm by any means, conditions won't be as dangerous as they currently are.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 4. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -4. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 30.

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

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 32.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 19. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 5. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

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

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 31.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 33.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high near 21. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of snow, mainly before 10 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 7. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 22. Wind chill values as low as -5. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Calm wind.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 34.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 35.