Even as September stays hot and humid, South Jersey has only a few months before bitter temperatures hit and the cozy sweaters come on.
And, for this winter, don't forget your rain boots.
The Farmers' Almanac's new snow map offers insight into how winter 2026 will go, and when residents can expect the first snowfall in our region.
More: See Old Farmer's Almanac prediction for South Jersey weather this fall
The almanac reports an 80-85% accuracy on regional outlooks and has been using a combination of sunspot cycles, lunar position, tidal pull and historical pattern weighing.
Though the almanac has been around since 1818, traditional calculations are now enhanced by modern forecasting tools.
The Farmers' Almanac predicts South Jerseyans can expect the first snow sometime in late November to December.
This doesn't mean a storm is coming, but rather a climatological prediction that takes in historical long-term averages and patterns for weather conditions.
According to the almanac, the first frost of fall is one of the surest signs that winter is coming for residents.
Frost can appear when the official air temperature is several degrees above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, since temperatures at ground level can be colder than readings taken several feet above the ground.
The Farmers' Almanac predicts that South Jersey will see the first frost sometime between late October and mid-November. It notes that these are average ranges, not predictions for a specific day of the first frost.
The frost could hit South Jersey later or earlier, depending on weather patterns, elevation and proximity to water for residents.
Coastal locations usually remain frost-free longer than inland areas since bodies of water cool more slowly in the fall, the almanac said.
The almanac predicts that the Northeast region of the U.S. may face one of the most complicated winter patterns.
Coastal communities, such as Cape May or Atlantic Counties, could receive more rain or mixed precipitation instead of snow.
Inland areas are predicted to experience several rounds of "heavy, wet snow," especially during later winter months such as January and February. The precipitation outlook predicts rain is more likely than extended periods of snow.
Snow risk will be moderate in South Jersey, with snowfall possible but not necessarily persistent across the Northeast region. The almanac also predicts that temperatures will be variable, with cold snaps followed by mild stretches.
The almanac notes that small shifts in storm tracks and temperatures could make the difference between rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow. They recommend that residents should be prepared for forecasts to change quickly as winter storms start to arrive.
The traditional prediction also expects a winter storm path to guide weather systems along the Eastern Seaboard. This means a wintry mix of rain and snow could hit South Jersey.
The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a milder winter for the South Jersey region, with above-normal temperatures and slightly below-normal snowfall.
The almanac expects that the coldest periods will hit in early to mid-December, early to mid-January, and early and late February.
The snowiest periods are predicted to be late November, early and mid-January, early and late February, and late March.
They predict that snowfall and precipitation will be slightly below normal, differing from the Farmers' Almanac.
Mia Boykin is an education/watchdog reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: [email protected]. Please consider a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Farmers' Almanac predicts when South Jersey will get 1st snow, see map