Right now in Plainfield, it is 26°F. It feels like 18°F if you’re actually out in it, thanks to a 8 mph wind coming off the west. Most people think they know exactly what a Jersey winter entails. Cold, grey, maybe a stray snowflake or two. But if you’re looking at the weather forecast Plainfield NJ has served up for mid-January 2026, things are getting a little more interesting than the standard "bundle up" advice.
Honestly, we're in the middle of a classic temperature "rollercoaster" that local meteorologists like Joe Martucci have been warning us about. It's that weak La Niña effect. Basically, it means we don't get one consistent season; we get four seasons crammed into a single week.
The Immediate Forecast Breakdown
If you're planning your weekend, Saturday is the day to watch. We’re looking at a high of 39°F and a low of 29°F. But here’s the kicker: there’s a 35% chance of a rain and snow mix during the day. It’s that messy, slushy stuff that makes the Garden State Parkway a nightmare.
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Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, is going to be colder. The high will only hit 35°F. By nightfall, we’re expecting snow showers with a 25% chance of precipitation. It's not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make you regret leaving the shovel in the back of the garage.
The wind is staying fairly consistent from the west at about 12 mph to 13 mph over the next 48 hours. It’s enough to keep that "feels like" temperature firmly in the teens and twenties.
Why 2026 is Feeling a Bit Different
There's a lot of chatter about whether this winter is "normal." If you look at the historical data for Plainfield, January usually sees highs of 37°F and lows around 23°F. This year? We're seeing some wild swings. Next Tuesday, January 20, the high is projected to plummet to just 20°F with a low of 13°F. That is significantly colder than the average.
Then, just as quickly, it’s supposed to bounce back toward the high 30s later in the week.
Historically, January is the cloudiest month in Plainfield. The sky is overcast about 53% of the time. But this week, we're actually getting some decent sun. Today was sunny, and Monday is looking clear with a high of 34°F. It’s a bit of a psychological win, even if you still need the heavy parka.
The Snow Situation
Everyone asks the same thing: are we getting a "big one"?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac and local Jersey Shore outlooks have been a bit split this year. Some predicted a "mild and dry" winter, while others called for a "snow-filled" season. So far, Plainfield is sitting in that tricky middle ground. We aren’t seeing those massive Miller A storms—the ones that travel up the coast and dump two feet of snow. Instead, we’re getting "Miller B" setups. These are the ones that start inland and redevelop off the coast. They usually result in that "tricky rain-snow line" where a few miles can be the difference between a dusting and six inches of heavy wet snow.
For the upcoming week, the highest chance of real snow accumulation looks to be Saturday, January 24, where the chance of precipitation jumps to 65%.
Quick Daily Outlook Snapshot
- Friday, Jan 16: Partly sunny, then night snow showers. High 35°F / Low 22°F.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Mostly cloudy. High 36°F / Low 21°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Full sun but cold. High 34°F / Low 13°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The "Deep Freeze." Sunny but a high of only 20°F.
What You Should Actually Do
Stop trusting the "average" temperature. In Plainfield, the average is a lie because of the swings. If it’s 50 degrees on Monday and 15 degrees on Wednesday, the average is 32, but you weren't comfortable for a single second of that week.
Check your tire pressure. These 20-degree drops in temperature will trigger your "low air" light faster than you can find a working air pump at a Wawa. Also, keep an eye on the Saturday morning slush. It's the kind of weather where the road looks just "wet" but is actually a sheet of ice because the ground temperature is still hovering around 29°F.
Stay on top of the Tuesday forecast. A high of 20°F with 16 mph winds is prime territory for frozen pipes if you have an older house with poor insulation in the crawlspace. Open those cabinet doors under the sink and let the heat circulate. It's a small move that saves a $500 plumbing bill.
Keep the salt handy for Saturday's rain-to-snow transition. If it rains and then freezes over, you'll have an ice rink on your driveway before the snow even starts falling.