Winter — and the weekend before Christmas — kicked off in New Jersey with residents across a wide swath of the region waking up Saturday morning to find snow on the ground.

And frigid temperatures are next.

An overnight storm coated the region from North Jersey to the Philadelphia metro area with anywhere from an inch to 5 1/2 inches of snow as the first day of the winter season arrived — and as people continue traveling for the holidays. There was snow in 13 counties in the Garden State.

Lingering flurries are possible across the eastern part of the state, though light snow is expected to taper off everywhere in the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, an arctic air mass is forecast to bring “brisk and cold conditions” across the region the rest of the weekend, the weather service said.

High temperatures are expected to range from the 20s north of Interstate 78 to the low 30s south of the highway, while lows will fall into the teens, according to forecasters. There will also be blustery conditions in the afternoon, with wind gusts between 15 and 35 miles per hour.

Temperatures in New Jersey in late December normally reach the low 40s during the day and around 30 degrees overnight.

The snow and cold could cause slippery road conditions, though it’s more likely snow accumulated on grass, according to AccuWeather. The cold temperatures also mean the snow could stick around as Christmas and Hanukkah begin arrive this week.

Looking ahead, next week is also expected to be cold, with highs stuck in the 30s, according to forecasts. There is also a chance for light snow Tuesday morning — Christmas Eve — especially in North Jersey. Christmas is expected to be sunny and seasonable Wednesday.

Although it’s not an official weather term, the National Weather Service defines a white Christmas as having just 1 inch or more of snow on the ground on the morning of Dec. 25 — either fresh snow or lingering snow from a previous storm.

Current weather radar

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NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Party City issued mass layoffs at its New Jersey headquarters, according to an email sent to employees. 

All 850 Party City stores will be closing soon after nearly 40 years in business, according to CNN. 

“I think it’s a shame because I grew up going to Party City as a child and it’s somewhere I used to look forward to for parties,” said Stephanie Campos, of New York City. 

Campos was buying balloons at the Party City on West 14th Street in Greenwich Village when she heard about the chain’s reported closures. 

“I’m thankful for the memories they gave me,” Campos said.

New Jersey Party City employees laid off in mass email

Corporate employees at Party City’s headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey received an email Friday saying it was their last day after the company made the decision to conduct mass layoffs.   

The company recently came out of bankruptcy, but has faced tough competition from online retailers. 

“The convenience, especially in a city like New York, the convenience of ordering what you need, having delivered,” said Jared Barnett.   

Barnett wanted to visit his neighborhood store one more time for a final farewell. 

“I came to say goodbye. A lot of memories, you know, from growing up to planning socials at my fraternity. So just to come back one more time,” he said. 

Customers at the West 14th Street Party City said employees told them the location is closing by March 31. Merchandise is marked down in the meantime. 

Party City did not respond to our request for comment. 

A man from Maryland has been sentenced to 41 years behind bars in New Jersey for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in Burlington County, prosecutors announced.

Kevin Williams, 34, of Clinton, Maryland, was found guilty in July of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and four counts of second-degree sexual assault.

Officials said Williams must serve 38 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

The assaults occurred several years ago on multiple occasions, officials shared. Williams was taken into custody in December 2020 by the Maryland State Police.

Officials said additional details are being withheld in an attempt to protect the identity of the victim.

“The victim in this case endured abuse that continues to traumatize her to this day,” Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said in a news release. “We admire the strength and determination she displayed during the prosecution, and hope the justice that was brought on her behalf is meaningful as she pursues a happy, fulfilling life.”