As if Mother Nature is following the calendar, January will feel much more seasonable thanks to tumbling temperatures and brisk winds.

Here are your weather headlines for Thursday, December 31, 2015...

New Year's Forecast

A new air mass is already arriving in the Garden State on this New Year's Eve, which will eventually lead to a big cooldown to usher in 2016. However, that cooler air really will not have a huge impact on temperatures today.

The overnight rain cleared out right on schedule, and patchy fog has developed this morning (mainly in North Jersey). The overcast skies we have endured for about a week and a half will finally break this afternoon, as the sun makes a grand return to our sky.

Temperatures will hold fairly steady throughout today, ranging from about 45 and 55 degrees this afternoon. In addition, we'll pick up a stiff breeze to about 15 or 20 mph. So even though temperatures will be above normal yet again today, there will be a definite chill in the air.

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Our weather is looking good for all your New Year's Eve festivities tonight. The wind will calm down, skies will remain partly cloudy, and temperatures will be seasonably chilly. As we ring in the new year at midnight, thermometers will read around 39 degrees. Overnight lows will dip into the lower 30s for most of New Jersey - cold enough for a light freeze for most.

January Will Feel Like... January!

Prolonged cooler temperatures will arrive just in time to change the calendar. Get the coats ready, New Jersey!

New Year's Day will feature high temperatures in the lower to mid 40s. That's pretty close to normal for early January. Add a brisk wind, up to 20 mph, and the "wind chill" will make the air feel colder than the thermometer may indicate. Meanwhile, skies will become mostly sunny as Friday progresses.

The chilly temperatures and breezy conditions will continue through the first weekend of 2016. Highs on Saturday will hover in the lower 40s, and Sunday will be slightly warmer in the mid 40s.

As we return to work and school on Monday, a reinforcing shot of cold air will probably push temperatures even colder... In fact, it looks like we'll be facing the coldest air of the season (so far) for Monday 1/4 and Tuesday 1/5, as highs may be stuck in the below-normal 30s for most of the Garden State Brrrr!

Next Chance of Rain/Snow

New Jersey's next storm system and next chance of rain or snow? Not even in sight. As high pressure dominates our weather, we will enjoy consistently quiet, sunny, chilly weather for at least the first week of 2016.

As always, we'll be keeping our eyes on the horizon... Especially since cooler temperatures will make winter weather more likely with each passing storm system.

Happy New Year!

Dan Zarrow is the Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates.

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