Forked River has chilly winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 26°, and about 10 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Forked River at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Forked River’s climate
Read from where Forked River sits among New Jersey’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
10 inches of snow, 46 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 106 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Forked River feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 179 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 23 and the first by October 20.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Forked River’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
179 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 23 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 20.
About 10" a winter over 3 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 86% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 24 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 85°.
The nicest months are May, June, August, September and October. 0.4 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Forked River and its neighbors
Lacey has the coldest January nights next door (24°) and Lacey the hottest July afternoons (86°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Forked River averaged 2.1° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.3°).
A bigger shift than in 95% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Forked River compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New Jersey.
Forked River weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 26° | 3.7" | 3.9" | 10 | 26° – 41° |
| February | 44° | 27° | 3.0" | 4.6" | 8 | 25° – 42° |
| March | 50° | 33° | 4.5" | 0.8" | 11 | 37° – 50° |
| April | 61° | 42° | 3.6" | 0 | 10 | 47° – 55° |
| May | 70° | 51° | 3.5" | 0 | 9 | 56° – 65° |
| June | 79° | 61° | 3.8" | 0 | 9 | 66° – 74° |
| July | 85° | 67° | 4.6" | 0 | 8 | 72° – 79° |
| August | 83° | 66° | 4.4" | 0 | 9 | 70° – 78° |
| September | 77° | 60° | 3.8" | 0 | 8 | 65° – 72° |
| October | 66° | 48° | 3.9" | 0 | 8 | 53° – 64° |
| November | 56° | 38° | 3.2" | 0 | 8 | 40° – 52° |
| December | 47° | 31° | 4.4" | 0.9" | 9 | 31° – 50° |
| Year | 63° | 46° | 46.4" | 10.2" | 106 |
Heating and cooling a home in Forked River
86% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 50°. September is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Forked River’s climate
What is the coldest month in Forked River?
January, with a typical high of 42° and a low of 26°.
What is the hottest month in Forked River?
July, with a typical high of 85° and a low of 67°. About 24 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Forked River get?
About 10 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Forked River?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 20, and the last spring frost by April 23.
What is the rainiest month in Forked River?
July, with 4.6 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 46 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Forked River.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Forked River itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Brant Beach-beach Haven, NJ (18 mi, snow) and Toms River, NJ (9 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.