TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey residents woke up to a treacherous landscape Saturday morning, December 27, 2025, as a fast-moving winter storm departed, leaving behind a dangerous cocktail of black ice and freezing temperatures. While the initial “big one” under-delivered on snowfall totals, the residual moisture and a looming secondary storm system have put the Garden State on high alert for the remainder of the holiday weekend.
The Morning After: Slush, Sleet, and the Black Ice Threat
The winter storm that hammered the Northeast through Friday night was a story of “what could have been.” While northern New Jersey was originally braced for 5 to 9 inches of snow, a “warm nose” of air pushed the rain-snow line further north than anticipated. This transition to sleet and freezing drizzle effectively capped snowfall totals but created a much more insidious hazard: black ice.
Current Conditions (As of 8:20 a.m. Saturday):
- Temperatures: Hovering in the mid-to-upper 20s. Forecasters warn that thermometers will struggle to reach the freezing mark (32°F) today.
- Hazards: Untreated roads, sidewalks, and driveways remain exceptionally slippery. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a blunt warning: “If it looks wet, it could be icy!”
- State of Emergency: A statewide State of Emergency remains in effect for all 21 counties. While commercial vehicle restrictions on major interstates (I-78, I-80, I-287) were lifted at 8 a.m., non-essential travel is still discouraged.
Snow Totals: Where Did the Inches Go?
The storm’s heaviest bands shifted into the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, leaving New Jersey with lighter accumulations. Preliminary reports from the NWS office in Mount Holly and New York show the highest totals concentrated in the northeast corner of the state.
| County | Reported Snowfall (Inches) |
| Bergen (Ramsey, Harrison) | 4.0″ |
| Hudson (Hoboken) | 3.9″ |
| Essex (Newark) | 3.2″ |
| Union | 3.0″ |
| Middlesex (Edison) | 1.5″ (Mostly sleet/slush) |
“It wasn’t a big storm unless you were way north,” noted weather spokesperson Bob Ziff. Accumulations were largely held down by sleet that mixed in around 7 p.m. Friday, even while surface temperatures remained a frigid 20 degrees.
Sunday Outlook: Heavy Rain and 50 MPH Winds
The reprieve on Saturday will be short-lived. A secondary, more powerful frontal system is barreling toward the Tri-State area, set to arrive Sunday afternoon.
The Sunday Timeline:
- Morning: Dry but cold. Temperatures will start in the teens and low 20s, keeping the black ice threat alive for early morning travelers.
- Afternoon: A warm front approaches. For the northwest interior (Sussex and Warren counties), this may start as a brief period of freezing rain with light ice accumulations before temperatures climb.
- Evening/Monday Morning: The main event. Expect widespread heavy rain (up to 0.5 inches) across the state.
- The Wind Factor: This system brings a high-wind threat. Gusts could reach 50 mph Sunday night into Monday, raising concerns for power outages given the ice-weakened tree limbs from Friday’s storm.
Looking Ahead: A Spring-Like Surge then an Arctic Blast
In a classic display of New Jersey weather volatility, the “warm front” will live up to its name by Monday. Temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-50s or even lower 60s as a strong front sweeps through.
However, don’t pack away the parkas just yet. Following the Monday rain, an Arctic blast is forecast to move in, plummeting temperatures back well below average just in time for the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Safety Tips for Saturday:
- Walk with Caution: Black ice is often invisible. Use “the penguin walk” (short, flat-footed steps) on icy surfaces.
- Check Pipes: With temperatures dropping into the teens tonight, ensure outdoor faucets are covered.
- Stay Informed: Follow local NWS updates as the wind forecast for Sunday may trigger Wind Advisories or High Wind Warnings.