By: Richard L. Smith
As winter officially begins, Newark and the surrounding North Jersey region are waking up to a chilly start, with temperatures dipping to 28 degrees at 4:30 a.m.
This cold snap arrives amid the holiday rush, with millions set to travel across the region.
The National Weather Service forecasts a mostly sunny day with a high near 38 degrees. Despite the sunshine, wind chill values will linger between 20 and 30 degrees.
Forecasters said the north wind, blowing at around six mph, is expected to become calm by the afternoon.
Tonight, the skies will turn mostly cloudy, with the low hovering around 31 degrees. Winds will remain light and variable.
Travelers are advised to be vigilant, especially on roads that may still have icy patches due to the recent flooding in North Jersey.
Although flood waters are slowly subsiding, the remnants of the recent storms pose a risk for icy conditions on roads. Motorists are encouraged to drive carefully and plan for potentially slippery roads.