By: Richard L. Smith
As Newark and North Jersey region residents prepare for a weekend of winter weather, Friday brings a brief but frigid respite before a significant snowstorm moves in. 
The region remains dry but bitterly cold as temperatures drop, setting the stage for what could be a messy and disruptive weekend.
At 4:30 a.m., temperatures hovered at 39 degrees in Newark, while Sussex County saw a bone-chilling 21 degrees.
Elsewhere, Edison registered 34, Morristown 30, and Wayne 29. The cold will only intensify as the day progresses, with winds picking up by the afternoon, making it feel even colder.
According to the National Weather Service, Friday will be mostly sunny, with temperatures briefly rising to 37 degrees by mid-morning before falling to the low 30s for the remainder of the day.
Wind chill values will make it feel much colder, ranging between 25 and 30 degrees. The night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low of around 25.
But all eyes are on Saturday night, when the first wave of a winter storm system is expected to blanket the area.
Snow is forecasted to begin before midnight, transitioning to a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain through the early morning hours.
By dawn, the region could see a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, creating hazardous travel conditions.
Overnight lows will dip to around 30 degrees, with precipitation chances at 100%.
With plummeting temperatures and accumulating snowfall, residents are urged to prepare for potentially treacherous conditions. 
The weekend storm is expected to be the first in a series of winter weather events, marking a significant shift from the relatively dry and cold days leading up to it.
As always, officials advise staying updated on weather alerts and exercising caution while traveling.