WINTER 2025-26 in Historical Perspective
Kearny, NJ

WINTER

December’s temperature averaged 33.3°F, which was -4.4°F below normal—the month ranked as the 9^th coldest such month on record (since 1977) and the coldest since 2017.   Only 9 days averaged near or above normal.  There were 4 days with maximums of 32°F or lower.  There were 28 days with minimums of 32°F or lower (normal is 19). There were 14 days with maximums of 40°F or higher and 3 days with maximums of 50°F or higher. Temperature extremes included 57°F on the 19^th (record for the day) and 18°F on the 9^th.

The temperature in January averaged 30.03°F, which was -1.7°F below normal—the month ranked as the 13^th coldest such month on record (since 1977) and the coldest since 2015.   Fourteen days averaged near to above normal.  There were 11 days with maximums of 32°F or lower.  There were 23 days with minimums of 32°F or lower. There were 5 days with a maximum temperature of 50°F or higher. Temperature extremes included 53°F on the 9^th and 9°F on the 30^th.     

The temperature in February averaged 31.9°F, which was -2.1°F below normal—the month ranked as the 13^th coldest such month on record (since 1977) and the coldest since 1987.   Ten days averaged near to above normal.  There were 3 days with maximums of 32°F or lower.  There were 23 days with minimums of 32°F or lower. There were 4 days with a maximum temperature of 50°F or higher. Temperature extremes included 55°F on the 28^th and 4°F on the 8^th.      

The season averaged 31.7°F and tied with 2013-14 as the 7^th coldest such season on record.

Precipitation in December totaled 3.26 inches (.83 percent) and was .65 of an inch below normal.  The month ranked as the 20th-driest on record and the driest since 2004. The month was also the 2^nd consecutive month with below normal precipitation. The highest 24-hour precipitation was 1.26 inches on the 19^th. Snowfall totaled 7.3 inches and ranked as the 12^th snowiest such month on record and the most since 2008. The highest 24-hour precipitation was 4.1 inches on the 13th-14th.   There were only 2 clear days of 9 overcast days.   

January’s precipitation totaled 2.06 inches (.58 percent) and was 1.50 inches below normal.  The month ranked as the 11th-driest on record and the driest since 2010. The month was also the 3^rd consecutive month with below-normal precipitation and the 2nd consecutive month with below-normal precipitation. The highest 24-hour precipitation was 1.23 inches on the 25^th. Snowfall totaled 11.3 inches, ranking as the 15^th snowiest such month on record and the most since 1982. The highest 24-hour total was 7.7 inches on the 25^th-26^th.   There were only 6 clear days of 9 overcast days.   

February’s precipitation totaled 1.48 inches (.51 percent) and was 1.28 inches below normal.  The month ranked as the 9th-driest on record and the driest since 2007. The month was also the 5^th consecutive month with below-normal precipitation and the 4^th consecutive month with below-normal precipitation. The highest 24-hour precipitation was 0.42 inches on the 23^rd. Snowfall continues to be above normal, with 23.7 inches, ranking the month as the 8th snowiest on record. This is the most since 1979. The winter snowfall totaled 42.3 inches and ranked as the 6^th snowiest such season on record and the snowiest such season since 2002-03.  The highest 24-hour total was 17.8 inches on the 23rd, a record for the day.  There were only 6 clear days of 9 overcast days.   

For the season, precipitation totaled 6.80 inches and ranked as the 6^th driest such season in record and the driest since 1984-85. During the period Jan.=Feb., precipitation totaled 3.54 inches, ranking it the 7th-driest such period on record since 2009. The period was the 2^nd consecutive period with below normal precipitation. Snowfall was above normal with 42.3 inches.  The season ranked as the 6th-snowiest on record, with above-normal snowfall.  The season was the snowiest since 2002-03.