Honestly, if you've ever spent a winter in Union County, you know that a "clear sky" at midnight doesn't exactly mean you're in for a cozy evening. Right now, in Springfield, it is a biting 21°F. But here is the kicker: with that 13 mph wind whipping in from the west, the "feels like" temperature is actually a staggering 9°F.
That is the kind of cold that finds the gap between your scarf and your jacket in about three seconds flat.
💡 You might also like: Why Chicken Gnocchi Olive Garden Soup Still Dominates the Menu After All These Years
Most people checking the weather forecast Springfield NJ look for the big numbers—the highs and the lows—but they often miss the nuance of how the Raritan and Rahway Valley geography traps the cold. Tonight is clear and quiet, but the humidity is sitting at 43%, keeping the air crisp and dry. There is zero chance of snow for the rest of the night, which is a small mercy given how the temperature is cratering.
Why the Springfield Forecast is a Commuter's Headache
Commuting from Springfield is basically a local sport. Whether you're jumping on Route 22, the Parkway, or heading toward the Short Hills station, the weather here plays by its own rules.
Today, Friday, January 16, we are looking at a high of 32°F. It’ll be sunny during the day, which sounds great until you realize the wind isn't quitting. By tonight, the clouds roll in, and we hit a low of 20°F.
📖 Related: Norah O'Donnell Husband Restaurant: What Most People Get Wrong About Chef Geoff’s
But wait. Tomorrow is where things get weird.
Saturday's forecast is calling for a high of 40°F, which sounds like a heatwave compared to today. Don't go putting away the shovel though. There is a 45% chance of snow during the day. It’s one of those classic Jersey "mixed bag" situations where the temperature is just high enough to make the snow heavy, wet, and absolutely miserable to clear off a windshield.
The 10-Day Outlook: A Temperature Rollercoaster
If you think this weekend is unpredictable, look at the start of next week. Monday stays steady at 33°F, but Tuesday the bottom falls out. We are talking about a high of only 19°F and a low of 10°F.
That is "don't leave the house if you don't have to" weather.
✨ Don't miss: Rock Springs Wyoming Zip Code: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Move or Ship
- Saturday, Jan 17: High 40°F / Low 29°F. 45% chance of snow.
- Sunday, Jan 18: High 33°F / Low 19°F. Light snow likely (20% chance).
- Monday, Jan 19: High 33°F / Low 12°F. Clear and sunny.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: High 19°F / Low 10°F. Bitterly cold but sunny.
Basically, the town is going to be a giant ice cube by Tuesday morning.
What Most People Miss About Union County Winters
Local experts and long-time residents know that Springfield’s hilly terrain means the "valley" spots can stay iced over long after the main roads are clear. This isn't just a guess; historical data from the National Weather Service shows that Union County often acts as a transition zone between the slightly warmer coastal air and the brutal cold of the Highlands.
We see about 26 inches of snow in a typical year, but it's the ice storms that really do the damage. Remember the January 2018 ice storm? That’s the kind of outlier that makes the weather forecast Springfield NJ so critical for anyone planning a week of work or school runs.
Honestly, the "feels like" factor is the only metric that matters right now. When the wind comes off the west at 13-15 mph, a 30-degree day feels like a 15-degree day. It changes how you dress, how you drive, and how much you spend on heating.
Survival Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Stop looking at the thermometer and start looking at the barometer and the wind speed. Here is what you actually need to do to handle this stretch of the weather forecast Springfield NJ:
- Check the West Wind: The wind is currently coming from the west. If your house has a lot of western-facing windows, you’re going to feel that draft tonight. Close the heavy curtains now.
- Saturday Morning Prep: Since there is a 45% chance of snow tomorrow with a high of 40°F, it's going to be slushy. Salt your walkways tonight or early tomorrow morning before the night-time temp drops back to 20°F and turns everything into a skating rink.
- Tuesday Readiness: That 10°F low on Tuesday is legit. Check your car battery now. Cold like that kills older batteries without warning.
The weekend might look "warmer" on paper, but the incoming snow and the subsequent deep freeze on Tuesday mean Springfield is in for a rough transition. Keep your salt handy and maybe grab an extra bag of coffee; you're going to want to stay inside when that 10-degree Tuesday morning hits.