Trenton, New Jersey – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 may bring near-normal winter precipitation across New Jersey, with equal chances of rain and snow rather than a dominant winter signal.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), New Jersey is currently placed in an “equal chances” category for February precipitation type. This designation indicates no statistically significant signal favoring either above-normal snowfall or rain-dominant systems compared to long-term February averages.
Equal chances outlooks reflect uncertainty in storm tracks and temperature patterns. For New Jersey, this suggests February 2026 could feature a mix of rain, snow, and mixed-precipitation events depending on timing, storm strength, and cold-air availability.
Northwestern and interior portions of the state may still see accumulating snow during colder systems, while coastal and southern areas are more likely to experience rain or rain-snow mix during milder periods influenced by Atlantic air. Small temperature differences will likely play a major role in determining precipitation type during individual storms.
Temperature outlooks for February indicate near-normal conditions across the Mid-Atlantic. This temperature profile supports alternating cold and mild periods, increasing the likelihood of variable precipitation types throughout the month.
Surrounding areas including New York City, eastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware also show neutral precipitation signals, reinforcing uncertainty in how consistently winter weather patterns will favor snow versus rain across the region.
Commuters, students, and winter travelers across New Jersey are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when shorter-range outlooks will provide clearer insight into storm timing and precipitation type.
