Triple-Digit Heat, Thunderstorms In NJ Forecast This Week

NEW JERSEY - High heat and humidity are in the forecast for New Jersey this week after a temperate weekend, with triple-digit temperatures and stormy weather as the week progresses.

Monday through Wednesday are expected to see temperatures in the mid- to high-80s, the National Weather Service said. Scattered showers and thunderstorms Monday evening are possible as well.

Thursday will see temperatures break into the 90s and Friday could be the hottest day of the week and possibly the hottest of the year, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees, the weather service said.

“Although tweaks to the forecast are likely, a few spots may come close to setting records,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said in a statement, adding that July 28 heat records for cities like Atlantic City and Trenton may potentially be beaten this year with temperatures pushing 100 degrees.

As of Monday at 5 p.m., five New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook due to high temperatures expected later this week. The following counties are affected:

• Passaic
• Hudson
• Bergen
• Essex
• Union

“High temperatures will reach well into the 90s on Thursday, and may approach 100 on Friday," the National Weather Service said. "There is a chance that the heat index may reach 105 on both days.”

The max heat index, which is what the temperature feels like to the human body, is set to reach around 102 near Morristown, 104 degrees near Toms River and Flemington and a whopping 107 in Trenton, according to a forecast map posted by the National Weather Service.

Heat relief may temporarily come in the form of scattered showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon in the western and southern regions of the state and Tuesday in North Jersey. Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be dry and sunny, with a chance of thunderstorms returning Friday.

In fact, frequent wet weather in the Garden State this summer has helped to cap daytime temperatures this season and limit the number of days when temperatures hit record averages, Accuweather said. After Tuesday, many parts of the northeast will finally get a break from rounds of thunderstorms, flooding and heavy rain, the outlet said.

The third week of July is typically the warmest week of the year, the National Weather Service said, with average temperatures set to slowly decrease for the next few weeks until a steep September drop-off.

Any extreme heat after this week is likely to be short-lived, Accuweather said, as current weather data suggests cooler air will come to the Northeast by the beginning of August.

Here’s the latest forecast around New Jersey, per the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West 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.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

South Jersey

Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a
low around 70. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

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