New Jersey is a small state located on America's east coast. According to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist (ONJSC), the state is located almost halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Because of its location, New Jersey is prone to unpredictable weather caused by airstreams. The weather varies considerably in the northern and southern parts of the state. The difference between New Jersey's farthest regions is most notable in the winter.
New Jersey has five separate climate regions, according to ONJSC. The northern zone is colder than the rest of the state. The agricultural growing season lasts about 155 days, shorter than in other regions of New Jersey. The central zone's temperature is often affected by the level of pollution due to large cities in the central part of the state. Temperatures in the 90s are frequent in the summer. The Pine Barrens zone is mostly dry and cool. The southwest zone has high humidity and a long growing season. The coastal zone is typically warmer than the rest of the state, even though it is very windy at times. Nor'easters, storms on the coast, generally occur between October and April. The coastal area is also prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.
While the northern and southeastern parts of New Jersey differ greatly, the average annual precipitation of New Jersey is between 43 and 47 inches. It snows in the winter between October and April, depending on region. The northern portion of New Jersey usually gets snow around October 15, while residents of the southern coastal areas don't normally see snow until November 15.
New Jersey residents experience all four seasons. The northern zone typically experiences 163 days above freezing, while the central and southern zones experience 179 and the coast has 217. In the northern region, spring usually begins around May 4. According to fizber.com, the average temperature in January is 36.9 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature in July is 73.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
New Jersey has an average of 25 to 35 thunderstorms each year. Occasionally there are weak tornadoes, an average of about five per year.
New Jersey's summer climate is perfect for producing agriculture. In fact, New Jersey is America's No. 2 blueberry producer. Other agriculture grown in the state includes spinach, hay, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, lettuce and bell peppers.
