Freeze-weary New Jersey residents slog through February

With another round of bitter cold temperatures expected for the next few days, this February could end up ranking among the top five coldest on record for New Jersey.

But most Garden State residents don't care about setting or breaking records. They're just praying for springtime.

"I've been in the house since Saturday," said Marie Precheur of Belmar. "I don't remember a winter like this."

She said the recent nasty weather, especially the whipping winds, literally takes her breath away.

Stuart Buncher, a lifelong resident of Tinton Falls, said he thinks New Jersey winters are getting worse year after year, but he's not complaining.

"I was born here. It's in my blood," he said.

Hamilton resident Lawrence Auerbach agreed each winter seems to be worse than the last.

"At least the winter waited until late January, February to start," he said. "Spring is on the horizon."

According to Dan Zarrow, meteorologist for Townsquare Media, February so far has been much colder than the same month last year.

This winter overall, though, won't be one for the record books. Both this and last winter had average temperatures below normal, but they will still only rank among the 30th or so coldest winters in the past 100 years.