Will it be a snowy December in New Jersey? Here is the long-term forecast

Parts of New Jersey that missed recent snowfall could see their first snowfall of the season this week, the National Weather Service says.

A 30% chance of snow is forecast Wednesday night through Thursday, with more precise snowfall estimates expected early in the week, meteorologist Lee Robertson said Friday.

Northwest Jersey saw its first snowfall on November 22nd, including a whopping 20 inches at High Point. However, in northeast Jersey it only rained.

How much will it snow in December?

Looking ahead, Robertson noted that temperatures are expected to be below normal during the first half of December. “However, there are no strong indications that the chance of precipitation in the middle of the month will be above or below normal,” he said.

New Jersey recently emerged from its dry spell with several days of rain since late last week, although the state’s drought continues.

AccuWeather’s December forecast for Newark shows three days with the chance of sleet or snow: December 13th, 18th and 21st. The forecasts become more accurate as the days get closer.

December marks the beginning of the meteorological winter and raises the hope of a white Christmas for some. However, it’s worth noting that December is traditionally only the fourth snowiest month in New Jersey, behind January, February and March.

However, snow in December is anything but rare. Bergenfield averages 4.5 inches of snow per December, an example provided by Bob Ziff of North Jersey Weather Observers. This average is from 1982.

The only Decembers since then without a trace of snow were 1982 and 2011, Ziff said.

Since then, there have been eight December days with just a trace of snow, including in 2023. Last December began a season with 13.3 inches of snow, below the average of 27.5 inches, Ziff said.

In December 2010, 18 inches of snow fell.

Residents are advised to keep an eye on updated forecasts as the potential snow event approaches.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How much will it snow in New Jersey in December? Long term forecast