Light rain could turn to freezing rain and create hazardous roads Tuesday morning, forecasters say.
The National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for the northwestern region of New Jersey, as well as northern and eastern sections of Pennsylvania, effective from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Light rain showers are expected to move into the area overnight Monday, but temperatures in Sussex and Warren counties, the Lehigh Valley region and the southern Poconos will be hovering just below the freezing mark, creating the risk of freezing rain, the weather service said.
A period of light, but steady, freezing rain is forecast for the region around sunrise, and a light glaze of ice could form on some roads and sidewalks during the morning commute, the weather service said.
"Be prepared for slippery roads," the weather service's Mount Holly office said in its advisory. "Slow down and use caution while driving."
Think the drought is over? Think again
Temperatures in other parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are expected to remain above freezing, so plain rain is in the forecast for areas outside of the advisory zone.
Aside from the light rain, the big weather trend this week will be another string of warmer-than-usual January days across New Jersey. Temperatures are forecast to rise into the low 40s and low 50s almost every day during this work week and into the weekend, and nighttime lows will likely range from the low 30s to the mid-30s.
Temperatures on Thursday could run as high as 55 degrees in South Jersey, according to the weather service.
The normal high for mid-January ranges from 37 in North Jersey to 41 in South Jersey, and the normal low ranges from 19 to 24 degrees.
Last week, another wave of warm air set new daily temperature records for Jan. 12 in parts of New Jersey, including Atlantic City, Newark and Toms River. The highs last Thursday reached 70 degrees in Howell, Oceanport and Toms River, and 67 in Atlantic City, Jersey City, Newark and New Brunswick.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.