As the holiday glow lingered over New Jersey, the state found itself bracing for what was initially forecast as the season’s most formidable snowstorm. Yet, by the evening of December 26, 2025, a twist in the weather narrative left residents, meteorologists, and officials scrambling to adapt to a far more treacherous scenario than anticipated. Instead of a classic winter wonderland, much of New Jersey awoke to a hazardous glaze of ice, upended travel plans, and a sobering lesson in the unpredictability of winter storms.
The saga began on Friday afternoon, when New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency across the state, citing the threat of a severe snowstorm with icy and slippery conditions. “Due to the severe snowstorm, with the potential of icy and slippery conditions, I have declared a State of Emergency across the state beginning this afternoon,” Way announced on social media, as reported by FOX 29. The National Weather Service (NWS) backed up the urgency with winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings for nearly every county, projecting anywhere from one to three inches of snow in South Jersey, and as much as eight inches or more in the north.
By Friday evening, weather models that had confidently predicted a straightforward snow event—five to nine inches blanketing much of the state—were confounded by a meteorological curveball. As the International Business Times detailed, temperatures aloft proved warmer than anticipated, transforming the expected snowstorm into a formidable ice event. The phenomenon at play, known as “overrunning,” occurs when warmer, moisture-laden air glides over a layer of cold air trapped near the ground. Bob Ziff, a spokesperson for North Jersey weather observers, explained, “The computer models were struggling all week to figure out how much snow would fall because of this pattern. So even with 20 degrees at the surface, the southeast winds were bringing in milder air higher up in the atmosphere, leading to sleet or rain mixing in with the snow as it fell.”
The result was a dramatic shift in the forecast. The NWS, in a Friday night update, admitted, “We are now starting to get anxious about ice accumulation, since several more hours of freezing rain may put some areas in the game for ice storm warning criteria.” For Warren and Sussex counties, initial predictions of up to eight inches of snow were slashed in half as sleet and freezing rain became dominant. Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties clung to their winter storm warnings with four to eight inches expected, but even these numbers became uncertain as the precipitation mix shifted. Other counties, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Sussex, and Warren, were downgraded to winter weather advisories as snow totals plummeted.
On the ground, the storm’s impact was immediate and widespread. All 21 New Jersey counties remained under a state of emergency, and a commercial vehicle ban took effect at 3 p.m. Friday. The real danger, however, lay with ordinary motorists. Route 17, a major north-south artery, was plagued by near-whiteout conditions and spinouts, while picturesque scenes in towns like Ridgewood belied the skating-rink-like ice on surrounding roads. The NWS warned that up to a tenth of an inch of ice could accumulate in parts of the state, especially around Hunterdon, Somerset, and northern Mercer counties.
Hospitals and emergency services faced particular challenges. James Tedesco, Bergen County executive, emphasized the stakes: “We have six major hospitals here in Bergen County. We have to make sure all the roadways around those hospitals are accessible.” With holiday-season demand already stretching emergency services, the ice posed a dire threat to timely medical response.
The storm also wreaked havoc on travel plans during what AAA predicted would be a busy post-Christmas weekend. Officials urged residents to stay off the roads until later Saturday if possible. The consequences rippled through the region’s transportation network: Newark Liberty International Airport recorded 28 delays and 105 cancellations by early Saturday, while John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports in New York reported similar disruptions, according to IBTimes.
For those who did venture out, state law added another layer of caution. Motorists were required to remove all snow and ice from their vehicles—windows, hood, roof, and trunk—before driving on public roads. Fines ranged from $25 to $75 for non-compliance, but if dislodged snow or ice caused injury or property damage, the penalties could soar to $1,000 for non-commercial vehicles and $1,500 for commercial drivers.
Snow totals varied widely by location, underscoring the storm’s capricious nature. By 3 a.m. Saturday, Ramsey in North Jersey had recorded four inches, while Park Ridge showed just 2.2 inches. Bergenfield, Franklin Lakes, Paramus, and River Edge each measured between three and four inches, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, Poughkeepsie, New York—just across the state border—reported a hefty 8.1 inches by 10 p.m. Friday. The difference, as Ziff noted, was all about the sleet: “It wasn’t a big storm unless you were way north. Accumulations were held down by sleet, which mixed in with the snow around 7 p.m. last night, even when it was 20 degrees.”
Health officials issued warnings about the dangers of shoveling snow in such conditions. Dr. Barry Franklin, a retired American Heart Association expert, cautioned that shoveling combines static exertion, arm work, lifting heavy loads, and exposure to cold air—factors that can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, especially risky for older adults. “Shoveling snow in cold conditions creates a perfect cardiovascular storm,” Franklin explained.
Looking ahead, the weather remained volatile. Precipitation was expected to taper off Saturday morning, with highs struggling to reach 32°F and overnight lows plunging to 17°F. Sunday would bring a brief respite, with temperatures potentially climbing to 38°F, though freezing rain threatened again by evening. By Monday, a dramatic warm-up was forecast, with highs in the 50s and rain showers likely. Yet, as a strong cold front swept through, temperatures would crash again, gusty winds would return, and the region would settle back into winter’s chilly grip.
For New Jersey, the storm served as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of preparation—even when forecasts seem certain. Residents, officials, and meteorologists alike were forced to adapt in real time, learning anew that winter’s bite can come in many forms, and sometimes, the most dangerous storms are those that don’t go according to plan.
