Explore New Jersey

New Jersey is emerging from a powerful nor’easter that swept across the eastern United States, leaving behind significant rainfall, strong winds, and notable coastal flooding. While the storm system is now moving away from the coast, residents are still monitoring lingering effects, including minor coastal flooding in areas affected by residual ocean swells and draining estuaries. Fortunately, onshore winds have diminished and shifted to the north, bringing an end to the heavy rain that fell over nearly two full days.

The nor’easter brought intense conditions across the state, with some coastal locations experiencing the worst flooding since Hurricane Sandy. Rain totals were substantial, and wind gusts exceeded 67 mph in certain areas. The storm’s duration—lasting almost 50 hours—was remarkable, marking one of the longest continuous nor’easter events New Jersey has seen in over five years.

As the storm departs, a northern flow pattern is developing over the state, driven by a departing trough and an approaching ridge in the upper atmosphere. This setup is expected to funnel colder air down from Canada, creating crisp fall conditions from Wednesday through Friday. Early Friday morning is projected to be the coldest point of the week, with frost possible in northern and interior regions. The temperature contrasts associated with this system demonstrate how similar atmospheric mechanisms can produce very different weather outcomes depending on the season. While a tropical system in summer would bring warm, humid air, a fall nor’easter pulls in cooler, drier air, and a winter storm can drive temperatures near freezing.

Looking ahead, the ridge is expected to drift eastward over New Jersey by late weekend, ushering in milder conditions through Sunday. A new frontal system could bring rain and a shift in wind direction on Monday, with meteorologists keeping a close eye on potential dynamic weather patterns that could develop as the colder air interacts with the approaching moisture.

Tuesday’s high temperatures will reach the upper 50s to lower 60s across most locations, slightly warmer near southwestern New Jersey closer to Philadelphia. Skies should gradually clear by late afternoon with northerly winds remaining light to breezy, particularly along the coast. Overnight lows will drop to the mid-40s to mid-50s.

Wednesday will bring a drier, crisp fall feel, with highs in the mid- to upper-60s. Sunshine and clouds will mix throughout the day, with light north-to-northwest winds. Overnight lows may dip into the upper 30s in northern regions, potentially resulting in frost in areas northwest of I-95 and parts of the southern Pine Barrens.

Thursday’s forecast continues the autumn pattern, with highs only reaching the upper 50s to lower 60s and mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows will fall well into the 30s for many inland areas, allowing for widespread frost and near-freezing conditions in northern New Jersey, while coastal areas will remain slightly warmer. Friday will see temperatures climb to the low-to-mid 60s under mostly sunny skies, with overnight lows ranging from the upper 30s to mid-40s. Frost remains a possibility in northern and interior locations.

The early weekend outlook suggests continued fall-like conditions with dry weather on Saturday, though increasing cloud cover and humidity overnight into Sunday may bring a return to 70-degree highs. Fog is possible Sunday morning, and rain could arrive as a new system moves in on Monday.

For residents interested in keeping track of New Jersey’s weather trends, forecasts, and seasonal outlooks, a range of resources is available at Explore New Jersey Weather Report, providing insights and updates on the latest conditions across the state.

This period serves as a reminder of the region’s dynamic weather patterns and the importance of staying informed as fall transitions into the colder months, particularly in coastal and northern areas prone to frost and lingering storm effects.

New Jersey residents along the coast experienced the height of a persistent nor’easter this past Monday, with sustained winds, coastal flooding, and steady rainfall making for challenging conditions. While the system’s intensity never reached the extremes of more severe storms, its slow movement and prolonged presence created a notable impact on the beaches and waterways from Southern to Eastern New Jersey.

Meteorologists tracked a coastal surface low off the Southern New Jersey and Delmarva region, hovering near 1008-1006 millibars. While not a particularly powerful storm in terms of pressure, its extended presence and occasional wobbling near the shoreline caused consistent wind and water effects over multiple high tides. Peak gusts were recorded early Monday morning, with Barnegat Inlet reaching 67 mph and Island Beach State Park recording 62 mph. Most coastal locations experienced gusts between 55-59 mph during the overnight period, while northern New Jersey felt more moderate conditions, typically in the 20-30 mph range. Winds gradually decreased throughout Monday afternoon, continuing to ease overnight into Tuesday.

Rainfall totals were heaviest along the eastern and southern coasts, particularly in Ocean County, where accumulations reached 1.5-2.5 inches, with expectations for totals climbing to 2-3 inches by Tuesday morning. Residents inland and in northern regions of the state received far less precipitation, often less than a quarter of an inch. The persistent easterly winds amplified coastal concerns, particularly during the sequence of high tides over the weekend and Monday. The third high tide, occurring Monday afternoon, posed the most significant flooding threat as water from prior tides had limited drainage capacity and battled against the incoming surge. Officials reported that conditions gradually improved following this final high tide, with water levels tapering overnight.

While the nor’easter brought significant coastal impacts, conditions are expected to improve steadily through Tuesday, transitioning to drier and cooler weather from Wednesday through Friday. The weekend promises moderated temperatures and calmer conditions, providing relief after a challenging start to the week. Forecasters note that these cooler trends are early indicators of the approaching winter season, with snowfall potential for northwest and northern New Jersey likely within the next four to eight weeks.

Residents are encouraged to remain cautious along shorelines during high tide periods, particularly in areas historically prone to flooding. Despite the storm’s eventual departure, it highlighted the vulnerabilities of New Jersey’s coastlines to slow-moving nor’easters, even those with modest central pressures.

For ongoing updates on New Jersey weather conditions, storm advisories, and future forecasts, visit Explore New Jersey Weather Report.

New Jersey is grappling with the effects of a significant nor’easter that has battered the state with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding. Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a State of Emergency across all 21 counties to ensure that resources and emergency services are fully mobilized as the storm continues to affect communities.

The Jersey Shore has been among the hardest-hit areas, with reports of road closures, submerged streets, and extensive beach erosion. Atlantic City has opened an emergency shelter at the Convention Center to accommodate residents displaced by flooding, while officials have advised that municipal buildings remain closed for Columbus Day. Vehicle owners are being encouraged to use the Wave Parking Garage at Mississippi and Fairmount avenues for free through noon Tuesday to avoid water damage. Routes 30 and 40 may experience lane reductions or closures, and residents are urged to move vehicles to higher ground immediately to prevent flood-related damage.

New Jersey Transit services are also affected, with several train and bus lines suspended or experiencing delays. Coastal towns including Brigantine, Sea Isle, Ocean City, and Atlantic City have reported localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas near tidal waterways, with Sea Isle officials warning that 2–3 feet of water remains possible through Monday evening. In addition to flooding, communities are contending with strong gusts of wind, with sustained gusts around 30–40 mph expected to continue, causing potential damage to structures and posing risks to public safety. Beach erosion and dune breaches remain a concern, threatening infrastructure and recreation areas along the shoreline.

Inland areas are experiencing lighter impacts, such as overcast skies, moderate rain, and windy conditions. Some public events have been relocated or canceled due to the weather, including the Navy 250 Commemoration in Philadelphia, which has been moved indoors to the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, and Atlantic City’s Community Unity Walk for National Faith & Blue Weekend, which was canceled to ensure public safety. Residents are also being asked to delay trash disposal to prevent wind-scattered debris.

Emergency management teams are actively monitoring water levels and issuing updates for coastal communities. The National Weather Service has highlighted the potential for moderate to major flooding along the coast, reinforced by high tides throughout the afternoon and evening. Officials recommend that residents follow local alerts and consider enrolling in emergency notification systems to stay informed of evolving conditions. Cape May County’s Office of Emergency Management reports that risks are declining inland but continues to monitor coastal zones closely, advising residents to review experimental coastal flood maps to visualize areas at risk.

Authorities stress that while the storm’s strongest winds have already passed, coastal residents should remain vigilant as tidal surges and residual flooding could persist through Monday night. Local officials are coordinating efforts to ensure residents have access to shelters, emergency services, and up-to-date information to navigate the ongoing storm safely. For ongoing weather updates, forecasts, and real-time alerts across New Jersey, visit Explore New Jersey’s Weather Report section.