Extreme Cold Pushes Paterson’s Great Falls Toward a Rare Deep Freeze
It’s still dangerously cold this week, so a famous New Jersey landmark is suffering. The 77-foot Paterson Great Falls, which usually roars all year, is partially frozen after a heavy winter last weekend.
By Wednesday, ice covered the falls’ pathways, railings, and seats, making passage perilous. Although much of the water has frozen, the falls are still flowing, creating a magnificent but dangerous winter sight. Two days below freezing in northern New Jersey caused the cold.
The storm forced park officials to take safety precautions all weekend. On Sunday, the park’s main building, bathrooms, guided tours, parking, walkways, and park were closed. Since that comment, there have been no updates on when visitors can return or the business would reopen.
Bad weather is forecast across the state in the coming days. Nighttime temperatures will drop to the single digits and wind chills below zero, according to forecasts. These numbers are approaching decades-low levels in certain locations.
Trenton could reach 1 degree on Thursday morning, close to the January record low. Newark temperatures could dip to 3 degrees, near a record low. The lowest temperature in Atlantic City is zero, but it might drop to 4 degrees. These temps are much below late January’s 24–25 degrees.
This weekend, meteorologists are watching for another snowstorm. A nor’easter and “bomb cyclone” may deliver snow to New Jersey. It’s unclear where the storm will bring 3 to 6 inches of snow, but experts expect it.
Late Saturday to Sunday could bring blizzard-like snow and flooding to the Jersey Shore. However, officials believe it’s too early to tell if the system will deliver heavy rain, snow, or no impact to the state.
Visitors should respect local and state safety guidelines and watch weather updates as temperatures drop. This cold weather in New Jersey is so extreme that the Great Falls are almost freezing.
Sources
New Jersey State Park officials
National Weather Service
AccuWeather forecasters
