Will Snow Fall In NJ? Here's What To Expect In February And March

NEW JERSEY – Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like spring. And based on the forecasts, it's really beginning to look a lot like winter's over in New Jersey.

That doesn't mean we're through with cold air and freezing temperatures. But forecasters say that the chances of snow and sledding, and even good skiing, somewhere in New Jersey this winter are melting away.

Forecasters did say snow is still possible in March, but it's not at all likely to happen for the rest of February (see forecasts and snow chances below)

Jonathan O'Brien, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said there is very low risk of any snow falling in New Jersey through the rest of February. After that, there is "no strong indication that things will change," he said.

In fact, much of the region will be dealing with spring-like weather into next week. Rain is expected to be an issue, and temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s.

Some cold air could return in March. But will snow come with it?

"There are no screaming signals that I'm seeing," O'Brien said.

Steven DiMartino, meteorologist at NY NJ PA Weather, acknowledged that the winter "certainly has not been as fruitful with snowfall as I thought it would be."

The key reason for that, he said, is the Polar Vortex has been far stronger than anyone thought it would be. On Friday morning, stratospheric data came in to support a further strengthening of the Polar Vortex, he said.

"The stronger the PV, the more likely cold air is locked up and transient," DiMartino told Patch. "That is not changing any time soon."

Accuweather agrees, saying the region will likely continue to be impacted by the polar vortex, a pool of bitter air that often sits over the North Pole during winter, then weakens or becomes elongated.

The frigid air that is normally locked up above the Arctic Circle can eventually break loose and move southward during the latter part of winter, according to AccuWeather. But for the time being, it appears that it's staying locked up.

DiMartino said there is still a chance for snow this winter, at least in the Hudson Highlands.

Here is how he broke up the snow chances for the rest of the winter by region:

South Jersey

REMAINDER OF FEBRUARY

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 0 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 or more): 0 percent

MARCH

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 5 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 0 percent

Central Jersey

REMAINDER OF FEBRUARY

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 0 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 0 percent

MARCH

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 5 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 0 percent

Northeast New Jersey

REMAINDER OF FEBRUARY

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 10 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 0 percent

MARCH

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 5 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 0 percent

Northwest New Jersey

REMAINDER OF FEBRUARY

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 30 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6 inches or more): 10 percent

MARCH

• Probability of light snow (1-3 inches): 40 percent
• Probability of heavy snow (4-6" or more): 10 percent

Here is the forecast for the next week:

• Friday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 36. West wind around 5 mph.
• Friday night: Clear, with a low around 17. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Saturday night: Clear, with a low around 27. West wind around 5 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Sunday night: Clear, with a low around 31.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
• Monday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Tuesday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
• Tuesday night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
• Wednesday night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
• Thursday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.