The Autumn Chill Settles In: New Jersey Braces for a Widespread Overnight Frost

Well, just when we thought we might hold onto the last vestiges of warm weather—or at least, a temperate evening—the crisp, undeniable hand of autumn has truly landed, and it’s bringing a real bite. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday we were complaining about the humidity, doesn’t it? But here we are, staring down a rather chilly Tuesday night, with a frost advisory blanketing a significant portion of New Jersey.

Yes, you heard that right.

The National Weather Service, our ever-watchful meteorological guardians, has issued a frost advisory for a whopping nine counties. We're talking Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Salem, and Gloucester. That’s a good chunk of the state, from the northern peaks down to the southern farmlands, all expected to experience temperatures dipping precariously close to freezing.

Specifically, we’re looking at overnight lows—once the sun bids its farewell—plummeting into the low to mid-30s.

And, for many of us, that’s just cold enough to cause some real heartache for our outdoor plants. Think about those sensitive annuals, the late-blooming perennials, maybe even some vegetables you’re still hoping to harvest. This kind of chill? It can be absolutely deadly to them if they’re left exposed to the elements.

You could say it’s nature’s way of saying, “Time to pack it in, folks!”

So, what does that mean for you? Well, the advisory officially kicks in at the stroke of midnight tonight, Tuesday, and remains in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. That gives you a solid window of time—or rather, a rather narrow one, depending on your perspective—to get those precious green babies under wraps.

Grab a sheet, a tarp, a blanket, anything really. Just offer them some protection from Jack Frost's inevitable visit. It's a small chore, but it can save your petunias, your peppers, your prize-winning marigolds, and well, your gardening spirit too.

It’s a stark reminder, isn’t it, that while October brings those gorgeous foliage displays and pumpkin spice everything, it also ushers in a new kind of weather reality.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such an advisory this season, and in truth, it likely won't be the last. So, let’s heed the warning, protect our plants, and perhaps, just perhaps, brew an extra hot cup of coffee for that brisk Wednesday morning. Because, honestly, winter is always just around the corner here in New Jersey.