Unsettled Weather Pattern Returns To NJ

NEW JERSEY — Thursday will be an unseasonably hot and humid day, followed by the return of strong storms and downpours this weekend, according to the latest forecast.

Some areas could see their first 90 degree day of the year Thursday, before a cold front inches towards the Garden State to usher in yet another round of thunderstorms and showers, National Weather Service forecasters said. The heat will be greatest in the interior of New Jersey, with temperatures cooler along the coast.

The cold front will move closer Friday, creating showers in the afternoon and night especially in the northwestern corner of the state, according to the National Weather Service. There's also the possibility of a heavy shower or a downpour. And on the opposite end of the state, a separate system could cause a stray shower in Cape May County.

By Saturday, rain will be further widespread, with thunderstorms and brief heavy downpours possible, National Weather Service forecasters said. A few isolated strong storms are not out of the question.

Temperatures will also cool down slightly both Friday and Saturday.

Those who dislike rain will be disappointed in what's to come. "The long term forecast period continues to look active," National Weather Service forecasters said Thursday. "Overall though, the forecast for the new week is relatively uncertain."

That means we could be getting even more storms and showers Sunday through next Wednesday. However, it's still too soon for specifics.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Central Jersey

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., then a chance of showers after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.

South Jersey

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Increasing clouds, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., then a chance of showers after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.