Heatwave Relief? Storms To Roll Through NJ On Friday

NEW JERSEY — Severe weather is once again expected to hit the Garden State this weekend, with scattered thunderstorms and extreme heat forecasted for Friday and beyond.

A heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for 14 counties through Friday at 8 p.m. as the heat index pushes the 100-degree mark, meaning heat exhaustion or heat stroke will be likely with prolonged exposure.

A slow-moving storm system is expected to bring scattered thunderstorms, torrential downpours and damaging winds on Friday after 2 p.m. into the evening, with additional storms forecasted through Saturday, according to the service.

Showers & thunderstorms will develop this afternoon & tonight. Although damaging winds are possible, our main concern is for heavy rain which could lead to flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect through Saturday. Be aware for Flash Flood Warnings! pic.twitter.com/PqetR7gcfG
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 27, 2021

With weak storm motion and heavy rain, the service said there is also a possibility for localized flash flooding, particularly in more vulnerable urban areas and in locations that received substantial rainfall in recent weeks.

"With hot and humid conditions in advance of this system, storms will likely produce torrential downpours. As storms are also expected to be slow-moving, there is elevated potential for localized flash flooding," the agency said.

A flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for 14 counties from Friday at 2 p.m. through Sunday at 2 a.m.

The advisory includes:

• Atlantic
• Camden
• Cumberland
• Monmouth
• Gloucester
• Hunterdon
• Mercer
• Middlesex
• Morris
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Salem
• Somerset
• Warren

The National Weather Service also issued a hazardous weather outlook for most of the state as of Friday morning, in effect through Thursday of next week. A hazardous weather outlook is issued when there is a potential for severe weather events.

The counties issued a hazardous weather outlook include:

• Warren
• Somerset
• Union
• Passaic
• Morris
• Ocean
• Monmouth
• Hunterdon
• Sussex
• Gloucester
• Cumberland
• Salem
• Camden
• Burlington
• Atlantic
• Middlesex
• Mercer
• Hudson
• Essex
• Bergen

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances," the agency said in the advisory.

"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9-1-1."

The extreme heat is expected to let up on Saturday, with temperatures dropping to the low 70s and a chance of scattered showers, according to AccuWeather. Sunday is predicted to be humid and see intervals of clouds and sun.

Here's the latest forecast:

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. West wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 2 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.