The experts in the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist have compiled a list of the “most significant and impactful 10 weather and climate events of 2023.” As David Robinson, the state climatologist, notes, “You might be tempted to rearrange the rankings, particularly as some of the events on the list may have affected you more than others ranked higher. Or perhaps you best recall one that didn’t make the list. That’s the enjoyment and frustration of lists!”
Here’s an edited version of the list. You can find the complete details here.
- Smoke gets in your eyes
- Imported from Canada (ranging British Columbia to Nova Scotia forests) on a number of days in May, June, July, August, and October.
- Smoke was most often at high altitudes (20,000 feet), but in some cases arrived in NJ at or near the surface.
- Smoke was exceptional on June 7th, particularly in northern and central regions. Air quality was extremely unhealthy, and the skies were darkened, in some locations turning them an orange hue, with streetlights on at midday.
- Tornado bonanza
- Annual total of 13, ties with 2021 for 2nd most in year since 1950 (record remains 18 in 1989).
- Yet another warm year
- Annual: 55.4° or 55.5° (1.8° or 1.9° above normal pending final numbers from NOAA), 3rd warmest on record.
- Seasonal: Winter (Dec 2022–Feb 2023) 2nd warmest.
- Monthly: eight months above average; five months in the top 10 for warmth.
- Snow drought
- 2022/23 season snowfall ranked 3rd least for NJ (4.8”).
- Record late start for the first measurable snow in some locations (e.g., February 1st in New Brunswick).
- December deluge
- Wettest December on record, with approximately 8.5” on average statewide, around 4.25” above normal (pending final numbers from NOAA).
- Local wildfires
- Mostly in the Pinelands. No deaths or major injuries. Minimal property damage. Road closures. Local and downwind smoky conditions.
- Warren County soaking and landslide
- July 13–16 localized multi-part event deposited as much as 12.24” in White Township. This total has a recurrence interval of 200–500 years.
- Flooding damaged homes, roads, and bridges. A landslide closed a portion of Route 46 for over a week.
- A Federal Disaster Declaration was issued for the county.
- Post-tropical cyclone Ophelia kept on giving
- Part 1: Rain moved in from the south late on September 22nd, was heavy on the 23rd, dissipating early on the 24th. As much as 5.23” in Toms River (Ocean). Gusts in the 40–60 mph range near the coast. Coastal flooding at high tide on the morning of the 23rd.
- Part 2: Rain resumed in central and northern NJ later on the 24th, lasting into early on the 25th as Ophelia’s remnant low stalled off the coast. Montague (Sussex) caught 2.46”.
- These rains contributed to making September 2023 NJ’s 6th wettest.
- Widely varying growing season from northwest valleys to the coast
- The NJWxNet valley station at Walpack (Sussex) achieved a 135-day growing season, between last spring (May 26th) and first fall (October 9th) freezes.
- NJWxNet stations at Atlantic City Marina (Atlantic), Harvey Cedars (Ocean), and Lower Alloways Creek Township (Salem) had 249-day growing seasons, each between last spring (March 20th) and first fall (November 25th) freezes.
- A 114-day difference in growing season length between these extremes (versus 85 days in 2022).
- Warm episodes abound
- January 1st–5th saw some NJWxNet stations with highs of 60° or greater, including 71° in Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic) on the 4th.
- April 1st–8th and 12th–15th saw stations reach 80° or higher, including 88° at Oswego Lake (Burlington) on the 6th and 92° in Sandyston (Sussex) on the 13th and 14th.
- July 3rd–8th saw highs exceed 90° each day, including 95° at Piney Hollow (Gloucester) on the 5th and 95° in Moorestown (Burlington) on the 6th.
- September 1st–7th found highs of 90° or greater each day, including an annual NJ maximum of 100° at Fort Dix (Burlington) on the 7th.