Why this persistent ongoing cold weather might actually be good for NJ

Unless you're living under a rock somewhere warmer than here, you may have noticed New Jersey's been unseasonably cold. Not just cold, but very cold. And that pattern has been quite consistent ever since Thanksgiving.

Throw in all those winter storms we've been having and I bet most in New Jersey are counting down the days till spring. Yes, this winter feels endless with no end in sight.

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By the way, the first day of Spring for 2026 is happening on Friday, Mar. 20 at 10:46 a.m. Hopefully, that'll give some of us some hope that, despite how insanely cold this winter has been that warmer days are indeed ahead.

Cold, and lots of snow

Not only has it been cold, it's also been quite snowy. And with yet even more snow (and dare I say, ice) on the horizon, we still have a while to go before we get to that long awaited thaw.

So yes, it's been one heck of a winter so far. Like it or not, it's been here to stay.

It's cold, but...

Speaking of the cold, this current spell might actually be good for the Garden State. Despite so many hating on the frigid temperatures, there are some benefits that could come out of this.

For one, this cold is actually good for some of our vegetation. Some of our trees and plants actually need cold air like this to thrive during the growing season.

Better it's cold now

As someone who grows a lot of vegetables and fruit every year, I can tell you that sometimes, having a true winter is more beneficial than a mild one.

Colder air is also better for helping keep mosquitoes and pests in check. Mild, wet winters can actually help increase the chances of eggs surviving the winter.

Yes, it's not ideal for it to be so cold right now. But in the long run, it might actually be better for New Jersey for when the next growing season finally arrives (less than two months to go... we're getting there).

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.