First freeze of autumn is likely in suburbs tonight

A cold front crossing the region today (without any heavy rain or high wind) will usher in the coldest air of the autumn season to date. Although it will only be in the area for a brief period of time, with a warmup beginning by the second half of the weekend, the cold air and clear skies on Friday Night through Saturday morning will allow temperatures to fall near 32 degrees or lower across much of the interior of New Jersey, Southeast New York, and Connecticut. Near-freezing temperatures could also reach some major cities such as Trenton and Newark, but a freeze is not forecast there. New York City could observe temperatures falling to the 40’s or possibly upper 30’s in isolated locations. The expected freeze is not wildly out of place or unheard of for this time of year. In fact, areas in Pennsylvania are a few days behind their average first freeze. New York City historically experiences it’s first freeze between the end of October into November, while interior areas of NJ/NY/CT experience it in mid-October.

NAM model showing low temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s over inland areas, with 30’s and 40’s in the city from Friday Night into Saturday morning.

Rest of Today/YanksCast ALDS Game 5: The Yankees play a decisive Game 5 of the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx today at 500pm. Partly cloudy skies, west winds, and temperatures in the 50’s are expected. For the rest of the area, a cold front will cross the area this afternoon. So temperatures could spike into the mid/upper 50’s before dropping behind the front.

Tonight: The coldest night of the season so far, throughout the entire area. Interior locations will see light west/northwest winds and clear skies with temperatures falling into the 20’s and 30’s. Freeze Warnings are in effect for the suburbs of NJ/NY/CT. In the city, warmer temperatures but still in the upper 30’s to near 40. The usual cold spots on Long Island will see temperatures bottom out in the 30’s as well.

Saturday: Partly cloudy and cool with temperatures topping out in the 50’s behind the front. A warm front is already creeping up on us by the late afternoon over the Ohio Valley, so we could begin to see some clouds streaming in ahead of it. Winds will start out northwest but turn south by the afternoon.

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