Weather
Thunderstorms Threaten July 4th Celebrations In NJ: Latest Forecast
Tranquil weather will give way to rising heat and humidity - and storms. Will these put a damper on Independence Day plans?
NEW JERSEY — Tranquil weather giving way to storms. This is the pattern New Jersey has been in lately, and it will repeat again this week as the 4th of July approaches. Will showers put a hold on fireworks throughout the state? Here's the latest forecast.
Temperatures will start to rise again during the week, along with humidity levels. By Thursday, Independence Day, it'll feel like it's in the mid-to-upper-90s, the National Weather Service said. And unfortunately for anyone's outdoor plans, there is rain in the forecast.
The good news? According to National Weather Service forecasters, it won't be a complete washout. The bad news? The favored timing for scattered showers and storms is the afternoon and evening, possibly putting a damper on fireworks.
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Widespread severe weather seems unlikely, the National Weather Service said, though flooding and flash flooding could be possible.
Some areas may escape rain altogether, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. But this could bring other issues.
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"Rapidly developing drought conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast will make it easier for fireworks to spark brushfires, especially with very little rain expected in the days leading up to July 4," cautioned AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brian Thompson.
After the holiday, the region's forecast is "unsettled" heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. It'll get increasingly hot and humid, with chances for scattered showers and storms, particularly during the afternoon and evening.
"While this is still several days out, Saturday looks like it could be the more favored day for severe weather," National Weather Service forecasters said.
It could feel like 100 to 105 degrees, forecasters warn, and heat advisories could be issued. It'll still be warm after Saturday, but a cold front might make it less humid on Sunday and Monday. But as of now, forecasters aren't sure if the chance for showers will decrease (making less humidity) or stay the same (keeping high humidity).
Here's the latest forecast for each region.
North Jersey
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light southwest wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 6 to 10 mph.
Independence Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Central Jersey
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
South Jersey
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
Independence Day: A slight chance of showers between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
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