Weather Alerts Issued In NJ As Pattern Shifts: Latest Forecast

The dry spell is ending in the Garden State as storms, increased hear and poor air quality kick off the second week of August, according to the latest forecast.

Monday will be warmer than the past few days with higher humidity, National Weather Service forecasters said. Highs will mostly be in the mid-80s, though they could reach near 90 degrees along the urban corridor.

Air Quality Alerts are also in effect until 11 p.m. Monday in Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer counties.

"High pressure overhead will bring plenty of sunshine, light southerly winds, and warming temperatures to the region," the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said. "As a result, ozone will be able to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in northern New Jersey."

Being outside may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, who should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours. Tuesday could see another day of unhealthy ozone levels as well, according to the forecast.

Through midweek, temperatures will start to climb, and things will get muggy, forecasters predict. Temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the upper-80s to low-90s and dew points will increase, but New Jersey should stay below heat advisory criteria, according to the National Weather Service.

Storms will return Wednesday, though forecasters are still unsure of the intensity and coverage area. Heavy downpours could be possible, however.

Thursday will be similar: another muggy day with another round of showers and storms into the night, but again, forecasters are uncertain how strong they will be. The good news is that this will bring down the humidity. Friday will be warm again though a few degrees cooler at most, according to the National Weather Service, but dew points will be "notably lower" so it won't be as humid.

Storms are also brewing in the Atlantic; the first Atlantic hurricane of the season could form by late week, according to AccuWeather forecasters. The storm, which would be named Erin, would not likely have any direct impacts to the Garden State.

“The upper air pattern late week favors it turning north and likely staying east of the U.S. East Coast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said. "However, there can be an increase in rough surf and rip currents along the East Coast beaches next weekend into early the following week."

Two other systems are being tracked in the Atlantic, but they have low chances of forming into tropical cyclones.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind 3 to 5 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Central Jersey

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

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

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 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. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

South Jersey

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. 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: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 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 after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.