Dry skies expected through Monday before wind and rain threaten Halloween plans. New Jersey enters the final week of October with a mix of calm autumn charm and growing uncertainty offshore. Meteorologists are closely watching Tropical Storm Melissa as it prepares to leave the Caribbean and drift north into the open Atlantic. Current projections indicate the system should remain out to sea, but its influence could still be felt along the East Coast as another disturbance forms over the Mid-Atlantic.
Forecast models remain inconsistent on how the developing system will behave once it reaches the coastline. Some guidance suggests a track farther inland, while other projections show a coastal low forming near New Jersey, potentially producing a brief coastal storm during the middle of the week. Early indicators point to a rainy and occasionally windy stretch between Tuesday and Thursday. Most scenarios clear the weather just in time for Halloween trick-or-treating, though a few models still hint at showers stretching into late Thursday.
Experts plan to firm up the storm timeline as updated data arrives over the weekend. Until then, New Jersey residents can enjoy a classic fall atmosphere that checks just about every seasonal box. Comfortable daytime temperatures, chilly nights, and brilliant foliage combine for one of the most pleasant weekends of the year.
Friday brings highs near 60 degrees across much of the state, with skies showcasing more sunshine than clouds. North Jersey’s higher elevations could top out closer to the mid-50s. Overnight, temperatures drop into the 30s for inland towns and into the 40s closer to the coast. Patchy frost is likely for many locations, especially away from the ocean.
Saturday offers a repeat of the crisp and sunny setup. Temperatures land between 55 and 60 degrees, with a light northwesterly breeze keeping the air dry and refreshing. Skies remain mostly clear aside from a few harmless clouds, and nighttime readings again fall well into the 30s throughout the interior.
Sunday continues the fall stretch with highs in the upper 50s and a bit more cloud cover. The breeze shifts northerly, and evening temperatures dip from the upper 40s in coastal South Jersey to the mid-30s in the northwest hills. Most of the state is now either at or near peak foliage, creating vivid sunrise and sunset scenes across parks and neighborhoods.
The start of next week keeps daytime highs in the 50s, with Monday projected to be another ideal outdoor day before the weather turns more active. The exact timing and track of the midweek storm threat will determine whether Halloween night stays clear or comes with umbrellas and wet costumes. Meteorologists expect a better consensus early Monday as Melissa’s ultimate path becomes more apparent.
For ongoing weather updates and statewide coverage, visit https://explorenewjersey.org/category/weather-report/. New Jersey residents can enjoy the perfect fall weekend now, while keeping an eye on the forecast as the holiday approaches.
