'Extreme Heat' In Store For NJ: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Friday marks the summer solstice, and coming with that is the Garden State's first heat wave of the year as dangerous heat looms, according to the latest forecast.

Friday will be a "beautiful" day according to the National Weather Service, offering a brief reprieve before extreme heat sets in. Temperatures in the 80s and low humidity will make for pleasant outdoor weather - but enjoy it while it lasts, as next week is a different story.

Heat and humidity will continue to build over the weekend, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in North Jersey Saturday as well.

By Monday, an "extreme heat watch" will be in effect in Gloucester, Camden, northwestern Burlington, Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer counties, the National Weather Service said. That will last through Wednesday evening, with temperatures possibly feeling like up to 106 degrees. And there won't be any relief at nighttime either, as highs then will still be in the 70s.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the National Weather Service said.

Heat advisories may be issued outside of the watch areas, and forecasters can't rule out extending the watch either. For those near the coast, some light sea breezes may develop to provide some local cooling.

It's likely that the heat, coupled with the start of summer vacation, means that beaches will be crowded. But AccuWeather forecasters warn that prolonged cool conditions mean that some waters may still be chilly and dangerous, so swimmers should be careful.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Central Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

South Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.