Weather Shift Headed To NJ: See Timing

The springlike sunshine and 60-degree temperatures early this week will soon give way to soaking showers and weeks of below-normal temperatures in New Jersey, forecasters say.

"The turbulent nature of spring will be on display this week in the Northeast," said Accuweather, "with wild temperature swings, soggy weather and even snow on tap into the start of May."

While New Jersey isn't expected to see snow (it's possible further north in New York and New England), temperatures will sink into the 40s and even the high 30s through the weekend.

Biggest Change

The changes will begin Wednesday.

"The steadiest and locally heavy rain will fall in the Wednesday through Wednesday night time frame as the storm moves by," said Accuweather forecaster Bill Deger. "In some low-lying and poor-drainage areas, there could be localized flooding that will slow commutes during the middle of the week."

Deger noted, "Chillier air arriving behind the storm via gusty north and northwesterly winds will drop temperatures to 5-15 degrees below historical averages in most areas for the second half of the week through at least the first weekend of May."

Local forecasts show temperatures dropping into the 30s Thursday through Sunday in parts of the state.

"Combined with lingering moisture over New England, there could even be some very late-season snow in the mountains of northern New England and the Adirondacks of northern New York," Deger noted.

The rain is much needed, forecasters stressed.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor said that more than half of the East Coast was abnormally dry, with some places experiencing drought conditions.

After The Weekend

Accuweather says, "Beyond the weekend, temperatures may rise again briefly in the Northeast, but AccuWeather's team of long-range forecasters expect the first half of May to largely be on the cooler side compared to average."

The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center (above) shows below normal temperatures in the region at least through May 11.