The Climate of New Jersey

Articles/Websites

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Rutgers University

Open Resource

What it is

This resource provides a summary of the five distinct climate regions of New Jersey and a corresponding map of their locations.
The site includes facts about the state of New Jersey and the climate in each of the zones, including the seasonal temperature fluctuations and average monthly precipitation levels.

Teaching tips

Positives

Students researching the climate of New Jersey can locate their specific climate region on the provided digital map.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the difference between weather and climate.
Students should understand important vocabulary, including precipitation, annual, easterlies and westerlies.

Differentiation & Implementation

Cross-curricular connections can be made in social studies classes by having students locate their own county and climate region and then discuss the risks associated with more extreme weather in the future.
Students can use the information in this text to discuss their own observations about the climate in their area.
This resource can be paired with this video about flooding in New Jersey, or this activity that helps students examine the differences between climate and weather.

From the scientist review

This is a fact sheet on the climatic characteristics of New Jersey. The resource describes the 5 climatic zones in New Jersey as informed by landforms and geology. It is important for students to learn the climatic features to gain insights on weather patterns, atmospheric circulation, and other climatic elements in New Jersey. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Language: English
Location: North America > United States > New Jersey
Provider: Rutgers University
Authors: Rutgers University
Published: February 14, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS2-6. + 56 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
D2.Geo.3.6-8D2.Geo.3.6-8 Use paper-based and electronic mapping and graphing techniques to represent and analyze spatial patterns of different environmental and cultural characteristics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
D2.Geo.1.9-12D2.Geo.1.9-12 Use geospatial and related technologies to create maps to display and explain the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. (MS-ESS2-6)

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
RI.CR.6.1RI.CR.6.1 Cite textual evidence and make relevant connections to support analysis of what an informational text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.CI.8.2RI.CI.8.2 Determine a central idea of an informational text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6.RI.16.RI.1 Analyze what the text says explicitly as well as inferentially; cite textual evidence to support the analysis.
7.RI.27.RI.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an evidence-based summary of the text.
11-12.RI.411-12.RI.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text.
6.ESS2.66.ESS2.6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS.ESS3.1HS.ESS3.1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS.G.GR.1:HS.G.GR.1: Use geographic tools, various kinds of maps, and geospatial technologies to examine geographic components of past and current world events or to solve geographic problems.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
R.6.1R.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. (RI&RL)
R.7.2R.7.2 Summarize texts, from a variety of genres, to determine a theme or central idea and analyze its development over the course of the text. (RI&RL)
R.11-12.4R.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. Analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of technical or key term(s) over the course of a text. (RI&RL)
SS.Geog3.b.mSS.Geog3.b.m Analyze spatial patterns of social and economic development in a variety of regions in the world. Identify how people, products, and ideas move between places (e.g., internet commerce, outsourcing).
SS.Geog1.a.hSS.Geog1.a.h Use printed and digital maps to ask and answer geographic questions (e.g., Where are there patterns? Why there? So what?) and evaluate the appropriateness of geographic data and representations to understand real-world problems. Explain how current geospatial technologies (e.g., Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite images, remote sensing) are used for personal, business, and government purposes.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6MS-ESS2-6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
R.6-8.4R.6-8.4 Read various texts closely to determine what each text explicitly says and to make logical inferences; cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn from the texts.
R.6-8.5R.6-8.5 Provide an accurate summary of various texts; determine the central idea(s) or theme(s) and analyze its development throughout each text.
R.9-12.7R.9-12.7 Interpret words and phrases as they are used in various texts, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
GeographyGeography 1 (F1): Students understand the geography of the community, Maine, the United States, and various regions of the world, and geographic influences on life in the past, present, and future by using the geographic grid and a variety of types of maps, including digital sources, to locate and access relevant geographic information that reflects multiple perspectives.
GeographyGeography 1 (D3): Students understand the geography of the United States and various regions of the world and the effect of geographic influences on decisions about the present and future by describing the major regions of the Earth and their major physical, environmental, and cultural features using a variety of geographic tools, including digital tools and resources.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
6R1:6R1: Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. (RI&RL)
7R2:7R2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; summarize a text. (RI&RL)
11-12R4:11-12R4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. Analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of technical or key term(s) over the course of a text. (RI&RL)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. (MS-ESS2-6)
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
MS-ESS2-D.1.MS-ESS2-D.1. Weather and climate are influenced by interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, ice, landforms, and living things. These interactions vary with latitude, altitude, and local and regional geography, all of which can affect oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns. (MS-ESS2-6)
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS2-6MS-ESS2-6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
RI.6.1.RI.6.1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.7.2.RI.7.2. Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI.11-12.4.RI.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

RI.6.1.RI.6.1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.7.2.RI.7.2. Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI.11-12.4.RI.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
SS.6-8.G.1.MdC.SS.6-8.G.1.MdC. Use mapping and graphing to represent and analyze spatial patterns of different environmental and cultural characteristics.
MS-ESS2-6.MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

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Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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