Dangerously Hot Temps, Air Quality Alert In Somerset County: Cooling Centers

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Dangerously hot conditions and an air quality alert have been issued for Somerset County this week.

An extreme heat warning has been issued for Somerset County from Monday through Wednesday night as heat index values up to 110 are possible, according to the National Weather Service(NWS).

"The hottest temperatures and heat indices will occur on Monday and Tuesday. Low temperatures near 75 to 80 degrees and high humidity will not offer much relief from the heat at night," according to NWS.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Monday for North Central New Jersey.

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can
be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors," according to the NWS.

Here is a look at the forecast for this week:

• Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind.
• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Calm wind.
• Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. 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: chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

To prepare for the heat, residents are recommended to take the following actions:

• Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Somerset County offers a number of cooling centers to keep cool. Check out the list here or below:

Warming and Cooling Centers 2025 by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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