Honestly, New Jersey weather is a bit of a mood. One day you're scraping ice off your windshield in Sussex County, and the next, you're wondering if a light hoodie is overkill for a walk on the Atlantic City boardwalk. It’s chaotic. Basically, if you’re asking about the temperature in New Jersey right now, specifically for Sunday, January 18, 2026, you're looking at a state currently shivering through a cloudy night at 30°F.
It feels colder.
The "feels like" temperature is hovering at 27°F, thanks to a light 3 mph breeze coming in from the east. Humidity is sitting at a heavy 95%, which gives the air that damp, bone-chilling quality that Jersey residents know all too well.
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The Current Chill and Today's Outlook
If you’re heading out today, Sunday, January 18, keep the boots handy. The forecast is calling for snow during the daytime with a high of 35°F. It’s not exactly a blizzard, but with a 71% chance of precipitation, things are going to get slushy.
Tonight, the clouds should break up a bit, leaving us with a clear but cold sky and periodic clouds. The low will drop down to 21°F. If you’re tracking the wind, it’s shifting to the north at about 7 mph.
Quick Snapshot for Sunday, Jan 18:
- High: 35°F
- Low: 21°F
- Day Condition: Snow (71% chance)
- Night Condition: Clear with periodic clouds (40% chance of lingering flakes)
- Humidity: 93%
Why New Jersey Temperatures Are So Weird
Jersey is a small state, but it’s a geographical mess. You’ve got the Kittatinny Mountains in the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This creates a massive divide.
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In Newark, the average high for January usually sits around 39°F, while Atlantic City stays slightly milder at 43°F. But these averages are often liars. For instance, back in 1904, River Vale bottomed out at a terrifying -34°F. On the flip side, we’ve seen January days in the 70s.
Urban heat islands are a real thing here too. If you’re in Newark, Camden, or Jersey City, you might be looking at temperatures 5 to 20 degrees hotter than the leafy suburbs nearby because of all the concrete and asphalt.
The Long-Term Trend
We can't talk about the temperature in New Jersey without acknowledging that the state is warming up faster than many other places. Since 1895, the statewide average annual temperature has climbed by about 4.1°F.
That might not sound like a lot, but it’s the difference between a frozen lake and a muddy pond.
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Winter 2025/2026 has been particularly aggressive. December 2025 was actually the 43rd coldest on record, averaging 31.8°F. It was a sharp reminder that despite the general warming trend, Jersey can still pack a punch.
What to Actually Do With This Info
If you’re living through this January 18 chill, here’s the move. Check your tire pressure; these 30-degree swings cause that "low pressure" light to pop on like clockwork.
Salt your walkway before that 71% chance of snow turns into a sheet of ice tonight when the temp hits 21°F. And honestly? Just dress in layers. The "Jersey Layer" is a real survival strategy—t-shirt, flannel, heavy coat. You’ll probably use all three before the sun goes down.
Keep an eye on the north wind tonight. At 7 mph, it’s not a gale, but it’ll make that 21°F low feel a lot more like the teens. Stay warm out there.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Salt walkways now: With a 71% chance of snow and temperatures dropping to 21°F tonight, ice is a guarantee.
- Layer up: Use the "Jersey Layer" method (base, mid, and heavy outer shell) to handle the 14-degree swing between today's high and tonight's low.
- Check your tires: Significant temperature drops like today's often trigger low-pressure sensors; verify your PSI before hitting the Parkway.