An extreme heat warning has been issued for most of New Jersey starting Wednesday, with high temperatures expected to soar to dangerous levels for several days. “The intensity and length of the extreme heat will exacerbate impacts to both people and infrastructure,” the National Weather Service said early Tuesday. “This is not the kind of heat event we see every year, and could be the hottest period of weather the area has experienced since July 2011.” The weather service upgraded extreme heat watches to warnings
for 18 counties starting at noon on Wednesday. Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties remain under extreme heat watches. “High temperatures of 95-105 degrees and heat indices of 100-110 degrees are expected each day, hottest Thursday through Friday,” the weather service said. Outdoor plans for the Fourth of July holiday weekend could be affected by both extreme heat and possible afternoon thunderstorms, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures on Tuesday will climb into the upper 80s to the low 90s, with humidity remaining relatively low
through the afternoon. Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, mainly along and north of I-78, with the greatest chances after 2 p.m. Damaging winds and frequent lightning would be the main threats with any storms that develop. On Wednesday, high temperatures will surge into the mid- to upper-90s as the dangerous heat begins to build. With humidity rising, it could feel as warm as 100 to 105 degrees across much of the state. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon. The heat is expected to
peak Thursday and Friday, when high temperatures could reach 100 to 105 degrees, with humidity making it feel as warm as 110 degrees. All-time record-high temperatures could be broken on both days. The highest recorded temperatures at New Jersey’s three airport weather stations are: 108 degrees at Newark airport (2011)106 degrees at Trenton airport (1936 and 2011)106 degrees at Atlantic City airport (1969) Overnight lows will provide little relief, remaining in the mid-70s to the low 80s from Wednesday night through Friday night. Temperatures will
ease somewhat on Saturday, with highs in the mid-90s to near 100 degrees. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are possible Friday and could continue into the holiday weekend, with chances increasing to 30 to 50% on Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday and Monday, highs are expected to drop into the low- to mid-90s. There is a moderate risk of dangerous rip currents today along the Jersey Shore at beaches in Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties. A high risk is expected on Wednesday. Current weather radar
New Jersey, extreme heat warning, National Weather Service, heat index, thunderstorms, Fourth of July weekend, rip currents, Jersey Shore