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The adage “wash, rinse, repeat” is an appropriate one when reviewing New Jersey’s weather and climate conditions over this past winter. There were multiple snowstorms and cold spells throughout the season, with below-normal precipitation (rain and melted snow/sleet) in each month as the state continues to experience drought conditions that date back almost two years. All this will be covered in a seasonal overview later in this report. First, a recap of conditions in a February that exemplifies what all months experienced this past winter.

The statewide February temperature averaged 29.6°. This is 4.3° below the 1991–2020 normal and ranks as the 46th coldest February dating back to 1895. The average high temperature of 37.9° is 5.2° below normal and ranks 35th coldest. The average low of 21.4° is 3.2° below normal, ranking 55th coldest.

Precipitation averaged 2.01” across NJ, 0.85” below normal and tied with three other years for the 23rd driest February. This marked 19 of the most recent 22 months with below-normal precipitation. More on this is provided in the winter section of this report.

February snowfall averaged 16.1” across NJ. This is 7.9” above the 1991–2020 normal, ranking as the 18th snowiest since 1895. The northern snow region averaged 15.6” (+5.2”, 29th snowiest), the central region 17.8” (+8.7”, 18th snowiest), and the southern region 15.6” (+8.9”, 12th snowiest). This was the snowiest February since 2021.

The winter season of 2025/2026 took no time to display its wares this past month; it was quick out of the gate. Time will tell whether this was a sign of what lies ahead for the rest of the season. For now, enough cold, wind, and snow arrived this month to remind all that winter in NJ can be a force to be reckoned with.

Statewide, the average December temperature of 31.8° was 4.8° below the 1991–2020 normal and ranked as the 43rd coldest since records commenced in 1895. It was New Jersey’s coldest December since 2010 (ranked 29th) and third coldest since 2000 (ranked 18th). The average maximum of 40.5° was 4.5° below normal and ranked 49th coldest. The average minimum of 23.2° was 5.0° below normal and ranked 37th coldest. The northern climate division averaged 28.9° (-5.2°, 40th coldest), the southern division 33.5° (-4.6°, 46th coldest), and the coastal division 34.6° (-4.5°, 45th coldest).

Precipitation (rain and melted snow) amounted to a statewide average of 3.13”. This was 1.14” below normal and ranks as the 55th driest December. Totals were rather evenly distributed across the state. This was the 10th month of 2025 with below normal precipitation. The north averaged 2.86” (-1.39”, 42nd driest), south 3.31” (-0.97”, 58th driest), and coast 3.22” (-1.14”, 56th driest). On December 5th, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) declared a transition from a statewide Drought Watch to a Drought Warning, indicative of the persistent precipitation deficits.

Never doubt that this author can find something interesting associated with the weather and climate of any month or season. However, truth be told, sometimes what transpires does not rise to the level of exceptional interest among those not infected with the weather bug. For the most part, this report’s title holds true for this November and fall. Certainly, there was many a gusty day this past month. Also, drought concerns failed to abate in a season where each month saw below normal statewide precipitation, making it 13 of the past 15 months with deficient precipitation. However, despite low precipitation totals, there were many dull, cloudy November days, New Jersey’s fall (fortunately) escaped any tropical storms, and just one notable early-season coastal storm occurred, albeit generating coastal flooding with associated damage. Next is a discussion of November conditions, followed by a brief recap of fall precipitation and temperature statistics.

November precipitation, virtually all in the form of rain, averaged 1.88” across NJ. This was 1.48” below the 1991–2020 mean and ranked 23rd driest of the past 131 years. The northern climate division (Hunterdon/Somerset/Union and northward) averaged 1.87” (-1.60”, 22nd driest), the southern division (Mercer/Middlesex/Monmouth southward, except east of the Garden State Parkway) 1.91” (-1.38”, 33rd driest), and the coastal division (east of the Parkway) 1.70” (-1.64”, 26th driest). The far northwest and far south were driest. Wetter totals, though still below average, were found along the Turnpike corridor and in portions of Central NJ.

“Holding On.” Perhaps you’re a bit perplexed attempting to interpret the title of this month’s report. Something with respect to temperature? Certainly, the warm season hardly relinquished its grip on the Garden State during the past month. September temperatures averaged above normal, mainly due to the second half of the month being warmer than the first half. Normally the second half averages approximately 5.0°–5.5° cooler than the first, however this year’s second half was 1.0°–1.5° milder than the first half in the north and about 2° milder in the south. Something regarding precipitation? It was the second consecutive month with below-normal statewide precipitation, with eleven of the past thirteen months having below-normal precipitation. The month ended with most of north Jersey categorized on the US Drought Monitor as being Abnormally Dry or in Moderate Drought, and October 1st found the NJ Department of Environmental Protection declaring a Drought Watch across the entire state. Despite this, the state has not slid into a significant drought situation as is currently found in New England. Water resources are holding on but certainly are more vulnerable than anyone would like.

Statewide, the September temperature averaged 68.1°. This was 1.2° above the 1991–2020 normal and ranked as the 16th warmest September since records commenced in 1895. Ten of the twenty warmest Septembers have occurred since 2010. The average high was 78.0°, which is 0.8° above normal and ranks as the 26th warmest on record. The average low was 58.2°, which is 1.6° above normal and ranks as 12th warmest. The northern climate division averaged 66.9° (+2.0°, 8th warmest), the southern division 68.8° (+0.7°, 25th warmest), and the coastal division 69.0° (+0.3°, 28th warmest).

Tragically, this July demonstrated how weather danger lurks across the Garden State during summer months. July thunderstorm winds felled trees that resulted in three fatalities, lightning strikes killed two and injured others, and flash flooding took two lives and put countless others in perilous situations. No doubt, the often-relentless heat and humidity led to medical issues for those most vulnerable, be they old, young, infirmed, employed outdoors, or living in stifling locations devoid of air conditioning.

Temperature-wise, the July statewide average temperature of 78.1° was 2.7° above the 1991–2020 mean and ranked as the 6th warmest since records commenced in 1895. The average high of 87.7° was 2.0° above normal, ranking 12th warmest, while the average low of 68.5° was 3.4° above normal, ranking 3rd warmest. Eight of the ten warmest Julys have occurred since 2010 and twelve of fifteen since 1999. Only three Julys in the past 25 years have averaged below the 1991–2010 normal. The June–July average of 75.0° is the 5th warmest, only exceeded by 76.1° in 2010, 75.6° in 2024, and 75.2° in both 2020 and 2011.

The 5.44” statewide average July precipitation was 0.73” above normal, ranking 42nd wettest of the past 131 Julys. As is often seen during summer months, totals varied markedly over rather short distances, seen this month in both the north and south. Overall, the north averaged 4.62” (-0.10”, 64th wettest/68th driest), south 5.93” (+1.19”, 26th wettest), and coast 6.08” (+1.70”, 20th wettest).