By: Richard L. Smith
Residents in Newark and North Jersey residents are waking up to cold and dry conditions on Friday, Valentine’s Day on Friday. Strong winds and freezing temperatures make for a brisk start to the morning.
As of early Friday, Newark sits at 32 degrees, with surrounding areas such as Morristown at 28, Paterson at 30, and Sussex County at 27 degrees.
However, wind gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph are making temperatures feel even colder across the region.
Those heading out to catch a bus, walk the dog, or commute should prepare for bitter wind chills.
According to the National Weather Service, the cold air will persist throughout the day, though conditions will remain dry for now.
Tonight, skies will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 26 degrees. Winds will gradually calm overnight, shifting from northwest at 5 to 8 mph before becoming light and variable after midnight.
Looking ahead to the weekend, snow and sleet are on the horizon, with a winter system expected to impact parts of the region. 
Forecasters advise residents to stay updated on changing conditions as the next round of wintry weather approaches.