Thanksgiving travel in New Jersey could be complicated by rain, especially on Wednesday night into Thanksgiving Day. Today’s weather has already brought morning showers, with rain tapering off by late morning.
Temperatures are expected to peak near 60°F, accompanied by gusty winds from the south shifting to the west, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Rainfall amounts are modest, with less than a tenth of an inch expected, offering some relief for the rest of the day.
Tonight will see a significant cooldown, with mostly clear skies and lows around 33°F. Winds will calm slightly, coming from the west at 5 to 10 mph. By Wednesday, conditions should improve further, bringing mostly sunny skies and highs near 52°F, a fairly average temperature for late November in New Jersey.
However, a tranquil day gives way to a wetter night, with rain becoming likely after 4 a.m. on Thursday. Expect mostly cloudy skies and lows around 39°F, with calm winds shifting to light easterlies. Rainfall totals during this period may range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch.
Thanksgiving Day itself will likely be dominated by rain, with precipitation expected to ease by late afternoon. Temperatures will hover around 53°F during the day, aligning closely with seasonal norms.
Winds will start easterly but transition to the west in the afternoon at 5 to 10 mph. Rainfall could be significant, with new amounts between half and three-quarters of an inch. By Thursday evening, the chance of rain drops considerably, with lingering showers possible before 7 p.m., and overnight lows dipping back to 33°F. Rainfall during this time will be light, with less than a tenth of an inch expected.
While these conditions may not bring heavy downpours, the timing of the rain, especially during peak travel hours on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, could lead to delays on roadways and at airports. Travelers should plan for wet conditions, reduced visibility, and potential slowdowns, particularly during the heaviest rainfall on Thanksgiving morning.