Winter Forecast For New Jersey: What To Expect In 2017-18

New Jerseyans, do you know where your snow shovel is? If you believe the latest winter forecast that was released this week, you're going to need it.

New Jersey should brace for frequent shoveling because snow and ice are predicted throughout the Northeast, according to a new winter forecast released Wednesday.

Paul Pastelok, the lead long-range weather forecaster for AccuWeather, said it should be a good season for skiing in the Northeast. But you may find it hard to get there, based on what's predicted.

Snowfall in New Jersey could be about 6 inches above normal, “within a few inches,” Pastelok said. “Areas away from the I-95 corridor have a better chance at a big snowfall,” he said.

“Around the holidays we should have some snow for the interior Northeast,” he said.

The predictions are consistent with those of the Farmers’ Almanac, which released its long-range prediction for winter 2018 in August. That news wasn't good for New Jersey, either, unless you like to go sledding or you drive a four-wheel-drive truck.

That publication predicted New Jersey will experience "above-normal" precipitation and that the region will have a "cold-and-snowy" winter.

Read more: Farmers' Almanac Releases Winter 2018 Forecast For New Jersey

The Old Farmer's Almanac, meanwhile, offered a forecast for New Jersey that calls for a warmer than normal winter, with below-average snowfall. For most of the state, November — particularly later in the month — will be a little cold, while December will be a little warmer than usual, averaging 42 degrees.

Read more: Old Farmer's Almanac Makes Winter 2018 Prediction For New Jersey

Here’s a closer look at the AccuWeather forecast in different parts of the country:

Southeast and Tennessee Valley

Air temperatures will run above normal in most of the Southeast, especially Florida and Georgia, where the risk of a damaging freeze is lower than in past years. Florida, inundated with rain after Hurricane Irma, is expected to remain mostly dry.

In the western areas of the region, weather could be colder overall, and Pastelok said a few ice storms could hit the area stretching from the Tennessee Valley to northeast Texas.

Tornadoes aren’t out of the question, either. In January 2017, the area from Texas to Georgia was pummeled by 137 tornadoes. Pastelok expects the region to be experience tornadoes in February.

Northern Plains

Arctic cold blasts are expected to plunge Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and most of Missouri into the deep freeze on a regular basis, but the drier, colder air will carry less moisture, so huge, frequent snowfalls shouldn’t be a problem.

The coldest air — minus 30 degree Fahrenheit temperatures (and that doesn’t include the windchill) — will be in the Dakotas, Pastelok said.

Southern Plains

The chilliest temperatures could come in mid-winter, and arctic air blowing in from Canada could lead to freezes in late January, Pastelok said. Overall, though, a cold winter isn’t predicted.

Despite roller-coaster temperatures overall, southwest Texas could experience above-normal temperatures.

And while some storms are predicted, the winter will be mostly dry in the Southern Plains.

“We do feel there are going to be some storms in northwest Texas at times,” Pastelok said. “Southwest Texas could see some but not as frequent as in past winters.”

Northwest and Rockies

A weak La Niña predicted to develop this winter is expected to provide ideal skiing conditions in the Northwest, including the Cascades, and the Rockies.

“I think the Bitterroot chain all the way down to the Wasatch region in the central and northern Rockies has a good shot to be above normal on snowfall this season,” Pastelok said.

Northern California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is expected to be less snowy, but the area should receive enough snowfall for good skiing conditions — but it’s not likely to be so significant that people won’t be able to reach resorts, Pastelok said.

Southwest

Dry, warm weather is predicted. In fact, Pastelok said, temperatures could reach into the 90s by early 2018.

Patch file photo