The Climate of Edison, New Jersey

Edison is a township located in central New Jersey in Middlesex County. Situated about 30 miles southwest of New York City, Edison has a humid subtropical climate typical of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Edison experiences warm, humid summers and generally mild winters. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and plentiful tree cover across the township moderates temperatures somewhat throughout the year. Read on for more details on Edison’s climate patterns.

Key Aspects of Edison’s Climate

Some key defining features of Edison’s climate include:

• Humid Subtropical Climate – Edison lies in the humid subtropical climate zone, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters.
• Influence of the Ocean – The nearby Atlantic Ocean has a moderating effect on temperatures year-round.
• Above Average Rainfall – Average annual precipitation in Edison exceeds 45 inches per year.
• Distinct Seasons – The region sees noticeable seasonal variations from summer to winter.
• Potential for Heatwaves – Multi-day hot spells with high humidity can occur during summer.
• Snow Accumulation in Winter – While winters are relatively mild, cold spells and some snowfall do happen.

Annual Temperature Patterns

Summer

Summers in Edison bring lots of heat and humidity. High temperatures from June through August average in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit, with afternoon heat index values commonly exceeding 90°F during periods of high humidity. Overnight lows usually only drop to around 70°F, allowing little relief.

July is typically the hottest month. The highest temperature ever recorded in Edison is 106°F, set in August 1949 amidst a long heat wave. Multi-day heat waves with heat indices over 100°F are not uncommon during summer.

Winter

Winters are relatively mild due to the moderating effects of the nearby Atlantic. December through February average highs are in the upper 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit while average lows fall to the mid 20s.

The coldest month is usually January, where sub-freezing temperatures become more common. Occasional blasts of Arctic air can sometimes drop readings below 0°F. The coldest temperature recorded in Edison history is -14°F in January 1981.

Spring and Fall

Spring and fall serve as comfortable transition seasons. March to May in the spring warm slowly from cool and raw conditions to hot and humid. Highs climb from the 40s to 80s while lows rise from freezing to around 60°F.

Conversely in the fall, the descent is gradual from summer heat back to winter chill. September through November cools off steadily, with average high temperatures sliding from near 80°F down to the low 40s. Overnight lows fall from the 60s into the 20s.

Precipitation and Snowfall

With an annual average precipitation over 45 inches per year, Edison is wetter than many locations across the U.S. Rainfall is rather evenly dispersed throughout the year. Late spring and early summer tend to be slightly wetter thanks to peaks from heavy thunderstorms. Winter features reduced but still substantial rainfall, averaging over 3 inches of precipitation monthly.

Snowfall occurs regularly in winter but major accumulations are uncommon. The area receives around 24 inches of snow per winter on average. The higher yearly snow totals occur during especially cold winters when Nor’Easters track nearby. Such storms can produce blizzard conditions and over a foot of accumulation at times.

Severe Weather Risks

Edison experiences its share of extreme and hazardous weather at times. Some notable risks include:

Heat Waves

Multi-day heat waves are Edison’s highest weather hazard in terms of health impacts. Air masses from the Gulf States occasionally surge northward in summer, sending heat and humidity soaring for extended periods and creating dangerous conditions. Overnight low temperatures often fail to fall below 80°F during these events.

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Humidity fuels frequent thunderstorm development, especially in summer. These storms often pack locally heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding risk. Gusty winds and infrequent hail also accompany some storms. Lightning is common and claims a few lives from lightning strikes each year across the region.

Nor’Easters

The most impactful winter storms around Edison are Nor’Easters – large counter-clockwise rotating low pressure systems that track up the Atlantic coast. If enough cold air gets pulled down from Canada, these can become dangerous winter storms. Nor’Easters bring overcast skies, substantial snow and wind, coastal flooding and erosion damage, and bitter wind chills. These storms typically occur a few times each winter season.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are a small but real risk in Edison, primarily in spring and early summer. Historical records indicate around 5-10 tornado strikes have occurred within 25 miles of Edison since 1950. Some of these caused significant damage, though most twisters are relatively weak EF0 or EF1 events on the Enhanced Fujita Scale used to rate tornado intensity.

Monthly Temperature and Rainfall Averages

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of Edison’s historical average temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall:

Month	Average High Temp (°F)	Average Low Temp (°F)	Avg. Precipitation (inches)	Avg. Snowfall (inches)
January	38	21	3.4	6.5
February	40	23	2.9	5.9
March	48	29	4.1	3.9
April	59	38	4.0	0.4
May	69	48	4.2	0.0
June	78	58	4.1	0.0
July	84	65	5.1	0.0
August	83	64	4.6	0.0
September	77	57	3.4	0.0
October	67	46	3.4	Trace
November	56	37	3.8	0.4
December	44	28	3.9	4.1

Major Climatic Events

Edison has endured its fair share of extreme weather over the years. Some particularly disruptive events include:

The White Juan Nor’Easter – February 1978

This legendary winter storm crippled the entire northeastern U.S. Places from Maryland to Maine saw over a foot of snow and intense blowing and drifting amidst strong winds. Gov. Brendan Byrne declared a state of emergency for New Jersey amidst the paralyzing snow. Many areas had snow cover persisting into early March, hindering travel and commerce for weeks.

The Derecho of July 2002

A powerful line of intense thunderstorms known as a derecho swept from Indiana through New Jersey on July 15, 2002. Widespread damaging winds exceeding hurricane force left over 100,000 properties damaged and sparked lengthy power outages for millions. Further storms and flash flooding a week later compounded infrastructure and agriculture losses to over $100 million.

The Polar Vortex of January 2014

The 2013-2014 winter went down as one of the coldest on record thanks to a displacement of the polar vortex winds over Canada down into the Eastern U.S. For months the region endured shots of brutally cold arctic air and heavy snows. Newark Airport set a new record low of -3°F in early 2014 amidst these relentlessly icy conditions. Frozen pipes, infrastructure damage, transportation headaches, and extreme wind chills made life miserable for weeks on end.

The Flash Floods of August 2022

Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred caused torrential rainfall in excess of 7 inches for several hours on August 10, 2022. Numerous water rescues ensued as flash flooding of small streams and urban areas caused widespread road closures and stranded motorists. Rain overwhelmed drainage systems and flooded basements and businesses. Trenton was hit especially hard amidst the deluge, setting daily records for rainfall. Damage amounted to tens of millions across the state.

Future Climate Change Projections

Scientists project New Jersey’s climate, including Edison, will see substantial warming and an increasing number of heat extremes in the coming decades:

Rising Temperatures

• Average temperatures are expected to rise 3-4°F by 2050 vs. late 20th century averages based on medium emissions scenarios. High emissions scenarios raise projections closer to 5°F of warming.
• By 2100, forecasts call for average temperatures 5-8°F higher than the 1901-1960 baseline period. Summers likely see the most pronounced warming.

Heat Waves

• The frequency, intensity, and duration of summer heat waves will increase markedly.
• Instead of rare events, heat indices may exceed 105-110°F multiple times every summer by mid-century. This will heighten heat-related illness and mortality risk.

Changing Precipitation Patterns

• Total annual rainfall may increase by 5-10%, though seasonal distribution of that rain will likely shift. A higher fraction of rainfall may fall in heavy downpours that spark flooding.
• Less accumulation as snow is expected as winter precipitation trends toward more mixed rain and ice events amidst warming.

Sea Level Rise

• Sea levels along New Jersey’s coast have risen about 1.5 feet over the past century. Accelerating ice melt worldwide means this rate will drastically quicken, magnifying coastal flooding risk from routine storms or high tides. An additional 1-4 feet of sea level rise is possible by 2100.

The combination of rapid change across many facets of climate presents considerable risk and uncertainty for Edison and surrounding communities in the decades ahead. Careful planning around resiliency and emergency preparedness grows increasingly necessary to mitigate harm from future climate chaos.