NORTH JERSEY — A post-Christmas winter storm that initially threatened to bury North Jersey under nearly a foot of snow took an unexpected turn overnight, leaving many residents with more ice and slush than the “winter wonderland” originally forecast.
According to meteorologists and local weather observers, the storm system tracked further north than anticipated, while a “warm nose” of air aloft caused snow to transition into sleet and freezing rain as early as 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. By 3:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, reports indicated that while New York’s Hudson Valley saw significant accumulation, much of North Jersey saw its potential totals cut in half by the icy mix.
The Forecast vs. Reality
Early Friday morning, a Winter Storm Warning was in effect for much of the region, with the National Weather Service predicting between 5 to 9 inches of snow. However, as the system moved through, the transition to sleet occurred even as surface temperatures hovered around a frigid 20 degrees.
“It wasn’t a big storm unless you were way north,” said Bob Ziff, a spokesperson for North Jersey weather observers. “Accumulations were held down by sleet, which mixed in with the snow. Even with 20 degrees at the surface, southeast winds were bringing in milder air higher up in the atmosphere.”
Town-by-Town Snow Totals
Below are the reported snowfall totals for various North Jersey municipalities and surrounding areas as of Saturday morning, December 27, 2025:
Bergen County
| Town | Snowfall (Inches) |
| Ramsey | 4.0″ |
| Hillsdale | 2.2″ |
| Franklin Lakes | 2.0″ |
| Montvale | 1.5″ |
| Paramus | 1.8″ |
Passaic & Morris Counties
| Town | Snowfall (Inches) |
| West Milford | 3.4″ |
| Jefferson Twp | 4.1″ |
| Randolph | 2.0″ |
| Mount Arlington | 1.8″ |
| Little Falls | 1.2″ |
Sussex & Warren Counties
| Town | Snowfall (Inches) |
| High Point | 7.8″ |
| Wantage | 4.2″ |
| Newton | 3.0″ |
| Blairstown | 2.7″ |
| Hackettstown | 1.5″ |
A Tale of Two Borders
The “northward shift” of the storm was most evident when comparing North Jersey to its neighbors. While Ramsey recorded 4 inches, Poughkeepsie, New York, just an hour north, had accumulated 8.1 inches by 10:00 p.m. Friday.
The disparity was caused by a meteorological phenomenon where the freezing line moved just enough to allow sleet to suppress the snow totals in the Jersey suburbs, while the Hudson Valley remained in the “cold sector” of the storm for a longer duration.
Travel Impacts and Power Outages
Despite the lower-than-expected snow totals, the State of Emergency declared by Governor Phil Murphy remained in effect Saturday morning. The layer of sleet and freezing rain created a dangerous “glaze” of ice beneath the snow, making road conditions treacherous for holiday travelers.
Flight Delays: Major hubs including Newark Liberty (EWR) and JFK reported over 1,600 cancellations combined as crews worked to de-ice runways.
- Road Hazards: New Jersey State Police reported dozens of spin-outs on the Garden State Parkway and I-80 due to the icy mix.
- Power: Localized outages were reported in Sussex and Warren counties where ice accumulation on tree branches caused them to snap into power lines.
What’s Next?
The storm is expected to fully taper off by mid-morning Saturday. However, with temperatures predicted to stay near or below freezing, officials warn of “refreeze” on Saturday night. Any melted slush or rain will likely turn into black ice, making the Sunday morning commute equally hazardous.
Residents are urged to clear sidewalks and storm drains before the evening drop in temperature.