Winter in New Jersey is often unpredictable, especially when it comes to how much snow we'll get, but the Old Farmer's Almanac usually gives us a pretty good clue of what lies ahead. An average winter in New Jersey brings about 13 inches of snow to Cape May County and between 40 to 50 inches in Sussex County in Northern New Jersey. Winter 2023-2024 saw just 2.3 inches of snow in the southern half of our state and 36 inches in Sussex County. The Old Farmer's Alamanac winter weather predictions in New Jersey for 2024-2025 look a bit different than normal.

While the Old Farmer's Alamanac calls for higher than normal temperatures for all of New Jersey this winter, the expected snowfall will flip. Northern New Jersey should see less snowfall than normal while the southern part of the state will experience more snow than usual.

That leads to the inevitable question. Will we wake up to a snowy wonderland on Christmas morning? Probably not. The Farmer's Almanac 2024 winter in New Jersey predicts a sunny and cool Christmas week, although snow should arrive in the south in the final days of the year. There's no mention of a major snowstorm either, although we all know that can change at any time.

The Old Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for New Jersey shows that the snowiest parts of the season will occur at the end of December and February, both ideal times for getting outdoors. Pull out your sled, and head to Cheesequake State Park, which boasts one of the best sledding hills in New Jersey. Go ice skating on a natural rink, or set off on a brisk winter hike.

We also have to be prepared for the cold. The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts mid-December, the beginning and end of January, and late February will be the coldest parts of the season. February will have an average temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit, the lowest of the the season. The warm-up starts in March, with temperatures in the mid-40s as we welcome spring.

Even though the winter weather predictions in New Jersey call for milder conditions than normal, prepare your home and vehicle ahead of time just in case. Start by checking your furnace, smoke alarm, and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they're working properly, and make sure your home is insulated. Stock up on salt for those icy mornings, and put your shovel where it's easy to find. Keep emergency supplies - blankets or extra clothes, an ice scraper, salt, chargers for your phone, a first aid kit, and water and snacks - in your car.

Find more information on the official website of the Old Farmer's Almanac, or stop by the Facebook page of the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The Old Farmer's Almanac, founded in 1792, claims to be correct 80 percent of the time. Have you found that to be true? What do you think of the Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for 2024 for New Jersey? Are you looking forward to the milder temperatures? Or do you hope the snow will surprise us? Let us know in the comments!

One of my favorite memories of living in South Jersey was a late February snowstorm, with thunder and lightning, that started right after sunset. I woke up the next morning to temperatures in the high 40s and much of the snow had already melted. A blast of winter that doesn't stick around too long...pure perfection. We have to be prepared for whatever comes our way, though, especially if we plan on traveling. If you're hitting the road this winter, check out the OIYS ultimate winter packing list.