Roller-coaster weather has New Jerseyans confused about dress

Do you bundle up with a hat, scarf and gloves? Or do you wear a lighter jacket?
That’s the question many New Jerseyans have had this week as temperatures rise and fall. Temperatures over the past few days have been quite winterlike in the 20s and 30s. But forecasters say that temperatures should rise into the 50s and 60s over the next few days.
“The boots, the sneakers – what’s it going to be? We live in Jersey, it should be snowing,” says Brenda Simmons of Wayne.
“I myself, I’m a mountain guy. I like to snowboard. I like it so stay in the 30s or lower,” says Tim Lutz of Edison.
Many people who spoke with News 12 New Jersey say that they don’t mind the colder temperatures. It is winter after all. But they say that they just wish Mother Nature would make up her mind.
Medical experts say that when the weather goes up and down like this, it is important to protect oneself and dress for the weather at the moment.
“When it’s very cold outside, you are at an increased risk of anything like a rhinovirus or any viruses,” says Dr. Denise Livingston at Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center.
Dr. Livingston says that most people won’t get sick because of the roller-coaster weather, but she says that it is still important to layer up on cold days. Especially with the high rate of influenza in New Jersey.
“The older sayings of your parents of 'keep yourself bundled' does have some truth some it, but just by going outside with a head of wet hair, is not going to get you sick right away,” Livingston says.
The doctor says that those who are particularly vulnerable include the young and elderly and those with asthma or an upper respiratory infection.