Friday afternoon weather update for NJ metro

Weather update:
Latest post: 5:45pm -- 1/17/2014
Quick moving weather systems and the polar vortex are making headlines for the central and eastern United States this weekend and all of next week...

After a mild day, changes are coming...
The NJ metro area will see some fast-moving, moisture-starved weather disturbances late tonight into Saturday morning, and then again on Sunday.
The first one arrives between 3 - 4am Saturday and leaves between 10am - 11am -- with mainly light rain, or a rain/snow mix for much of the Garden state, NYC, and Long Island.
Some northern and western counties in NJ can pick up a light accumulation.
The prime areas for measurable snow with this system will be in the Poconos and Catskills of PA and NY...

Highs tomorrow in our area reach between 40-45 in the afternoon, with some sunshine returning, but also a gusty breeze, making it feel more like the lower 30s.
Saturday night is expected to become cloudy again... as the 2nd weather disturbance of the weekend arrives.
Lows drop into the mid- 20s to around 30 degrees.

Sunday can see a few flurries for the first part of the day...
The theme for the afternoon will be gusty winds and some sun, as highs reach 40 degrees or so, with wind-chill readings in the upper 20s.

*** The main weather feature for NJ metro will be a strong cold front for late Monday ***
Before the front arrives, temperatures will top out in the lower 40s or so in the afternoon...
Some snow flurries/snow-showers are possible after dark Monday.
Monday night is expected to see falling temperatures through the 20s.

*** Tuesday through Friday will feel the polar vortex once again,with frigid days and bitterly cold nights ***

Highs through the period only reach the teens to lower 20s, and night-time temperatures between 0 to 10 degrees.
Winds make it feel even colder.

Due to the very cold air carving a path well into the middle of the nation, the southern branch of the jet-stream will remain too far south with its moisture, and will not be able to track any significant storms our way...
Therefore, only some flurries and/or snow-showers are possible at any time next week.

More details in my next post.