Latest Timing For 'Ring Of Fire' Storms As Extreme Heat Lingers In NJ

Another day of oppressive heat is in store for the Garden State before strong to severe thunderstorms move in through the end of the week into the weekend, according to the latest forecast.

Heat index values are expected to range from 100 to 110 degrees Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters said. Extreme heat warnings remain in place except for the immediate coastal areas.

"Heat tends to have cumulative effects on the body and is exacerbated when the body can't recover at night. If outside, drink water, take frequent breaks, and find some shade," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Watch out for heat cramps, exhaustion, or stroke. Don't leave people or pets in a closed car. If air conditioning is not available in your home, find a cooling option with friends or family or a nearby cooling station."

Later in the afternoon is when showers and storms will move in.

The swath of thunderstorms forming around the rim of the heat dome causing the brutal conditions is called a "ring of fire," according to AccuWeather forecasters.

"Within this ring, there can be spotty, individual thunderstorms, large clusters of thunderstorms or a solid line of storms that can repeat or meander back and forth as hot and cool air change hands," AccuWeather said.

There's a 20 to 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, which grows to a 50 to 70 percent chance on Thursday.

Thursday is when we will finally see some relief from the heat as a cold front moves in. North Jersey, being ahead of the front, will see temperatures in the upper 70s/low 80s, forecasters say. Meanwhile, South Jersey is south of the front, but still somewhat close to it. There, temperatures will get into the mid-to-upper 80s, with heat index values "only" in the low-to-mid 90s, forecasters say.

Over the weekend, temperatures will return to seasonal normals in the 80s. Rain is still possible, but mostly in the afternoon and evening both Saturday and Sunday, so it may not disrupt outdoor plans.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.