High Point State Park is simply stunning during the daytime; you can see for miles all around, into New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Located along the Appalachian Trail, the base of High Point Monument rests 1,803 feet above sea level and the monument itself towers 220 feet above that. From the monument, you’ll enjoy the most amazing views but the scenery is even more spectacular as the sun sets. You can watch it dip below the horizon after a hike, or you can simply drive right up to a magnificent observation area. While nothing is as incredible as seeing the sights in person, this video by YouTube user Rick Knox does a fantastic job capturing the beauty.
The sky comes alive with color and the surrounding mountains begin to fade away. The serenity is unparalleled and watching this captivating drone footage offers a cathartic escape from daily life. Just over three minutes of perfection, enjoy a variety of hues, dancing clouds, and a glowing sun. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to watch twice. It's an absolutely enchanting break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and frigid temperatures.
Have you ever hiked High Point? If you're not up for a hike, you can drive straight to the top. If you'd prefer a trail, learn more here.
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.
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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.
Beach sunset at Atlantic City in a Winter season.
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.
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.
Fall in New Jersey is a truly unique time. Yes, we're a densely populated, crowded state - but when the leaves change color, it feels like all that's a million miles away. There's something incredibly peaceful about taking in the New Jersey fall foliage. If you're like me, you're wondering exactly when do leaves change color in New Jersey - and one of the best tools around has us covered.
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The Smoky Mountains fall foliage map is an interactive tool that not only shows when leaves change color but gives a week-by-week prediction of the fall foliage season. By toggling the cursor from left to right, you'll be able to see when leaves will start their fall foliage journey in NJ:
Once we know what to expect, it's time to find the very best spots in New Jersey to take in the fall foliage - and there are so many beautiful places to go for amazing leaf peeping in the Garden State.
Fall foliage at Dallabach Lakes in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
The Fall Foliage Prediction Map is an interactive tool that makes it easy to see when fall colors will be most beautiful across the United States. In New Jersey, the colors start changing as early as the second week of September and hit their peak the weeks by the beginning of October.
One of our favorite places for fall leaf peeping in New Jersey is Monmouth Battlefield State Park. In fact, New Jersey's state parks are an amazing place to see the fall colors, like the Pine Barrens haven of Parvin State Park, or a peaceful retreat into Stokes State Forest, where the trees form a multi-colored canvas come autumn.
Meanwhile, if you want to see the colors from the highest vantage point, you won't do better than Allamuchy Mountain State Park. And High Point National Monument, which has roots in the Revolutionary War, is another incredible vantage point as the colors change.
If you're up for an epic adventure, take the Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail, a spectacular 69-mile bike trail weaving from New Brunswick to Trenton with incredible views along the way.
Now that you know when do leaves change color in New Jersey in 2024, let us know all about your fall foliage plans for 2024 in the comments section! The Smoky Mountains fall foliage map will be updated all season long to make planning easier. If you're planning to explore New Jersey's state parks and do some hiking among the fall foliage, you'll definitely want to subscribe to AllTrails+ to gain access to the app's interactive trail maps and other features.
