New Jersey residents are being warned to brace for one of the most intense heat waves the state has ever recorded, with forecasters saying long-standing all-time temperature records could fall this week.
Conditions are expected to turn dangerous starting Wednesday and last through the Fourth of July weekend, with several consecutive days of triple-digit heat possible across the state.
Forecasters say highs could reach between 100 and 105 degrees on Thursday and Friday, with humidity pushing the real-feel temperature as high as 110 degrees. Weather officials have called for an extreme heat watch covering the entire state from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening, cautioning that the combination of heat and humidity could pose serious health risks.
The state’s hottest temperatures on record were set decades ago, with one location reaching 108 degrees in 2011. This week’s forecast puts those historic marks within reach.
Monday is expected to stay milder, with highs in the mid to upper 80s and clear skies. Tuesday will edge closer to 90 degrees, with a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in northern parts of the state that could bring damaging winds.
By Wednesday, temperatures will climb sharply into the mid to upper 90s, with humidity making it feel closer to the 100 degree mark. The most extreme conditions are expected Thursday and Friday, when the heat is forecast to peak.
Overnight temperatures will offer little relief, with lows only dropping into the upper 70s and low 80s during the heat wave.
Scattered thunderstorms may develop starting Friday, with a better chance over the holiday weekend, potentially impacting Fourth of July plans. Some cooling is expected Saturday, though highs will still likely reach the mid 90s to near 100 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to stay elevated into early next week, with highs holding in the low to mid 90s on Sunday.
Residents are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on elderly neighbors as the dangerous heat builds.
