One more chance of rain for 2015 for New Jersey

The past week has featured mild but unsettled weather for the Garden State, but the forecast for the new year includes clearer skies and cooler temperatures.

Here are your weather headlines for Wednesday, December 30, 2015...

Last Rain Chance of 2015

Although Wednesday is starting out with dense fog in spots, the weather during the daytime hours today should be nice across New Jersey. Skies will range from partly to mostly cloudy, and temperatures will bump above normal yet again. Highs today should reach the upper 40s in North Jersey and the mid 50s in South Jersey.

By late afternoon, we have to add a shower to the forecast, with higher rain chances overnight. Best timing for that rain will be from about 7 p.m. to 4 a.m, and we're not talking about anything incredibly heavy. Modeled forecast rainfall varies from 0.03" at the least to 0.60" at the most. The highest totals should occur in South Jersey and along the Jersey Shore.

By sunrise Thursday morning, the rain should have tapered off completely, although some fog may develop once again overnight. Low temperatures will stay above freezing, in the lower to mid 40s.

New Year's Eve

As we prepare to close out 2015, skies will finally start to clear after a week of wet and cloudy days. We'll enjoy a mild and pleasant grand finale to the month and the year, with highs around 50 degrees.

2016 will arrive with chilly temperatures and quiet weather. As the ball drops in Times Square on Thursday night, thermometers will be around 39 degrees with light winds.

New Year's Day and Beyond

The new year will bring a new weather pattern - a cooler weather pattern. Yes, January will actually feel like January!

New Year's Day on Friday will feature clearing skies, a stiff cooler, and seasonably chilly temperatures. Highs will end up in the lower to mid 40s - definitely jacket weather all day.

The quiet, dry, cool weather will continue through the first weekend of 2016 too. Both Saturday and Sunday will bring plenty of sunshine, but highs will be limited to the lower to mid 40s at best.

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.