UPDATE: Dangerous heat possibly hitting 100 degrees to scorch state over next 4 days. Latest forecast.
Only a week ago, many New Jerseyans (including me) were complaining about our long string of cool, cloudy and rainy days and persistently wet weekends.
Almost like clockwork, summer has officially started and the first heat wave of the year is on our doorstep. And it’s shaping up to be a brutal one, with temperatures expected to soar into the mid-90s on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Some towns and cities could see the mercury rise as high as 99 to 100 degrees, possibly matching or breaking some daily records.
It’s not just the scorching air temperatures that will make the upcoming heat wave bad. Forecasters say the humidity will also be high, making it feel as hot as 102 to 107 degrees in many areas of New Jersey, New York and eastern Pennsylvania.
You can blame this all on a strong “heat dome.” That’s just a nickname for a large area of high pressure in the atmosphere that remains over a region for several days or longer. The dome basically acts as a giant lid that traps heat and humidity, and usually blocks storm systems from moving in.
Heat records could be broken
The National Weather Service says Newark has a shot at matching or topping its daily record highs for June 22, June 23 and June 24, with daytime temperatures expected to soar as high as 99 to 101 degrees the next few days.
That will follow what should be a pleasant Saturday, with highs forecast to climb into the mid- to upper 80s under mostly sunny skies.
There’s a slight chance of spotty rain showers or thunderstorms in northern New Jersey on Saturday afternoon. But most of the state should be dry.
Based on the latest temperature forecasts, Trenton and Atlantic City have a much better shot of reaching record highs on Monday compared to Sunday.
Trenton’s record high for June 23 is 97 degrees, and Atlantic City’s record is 98.
Extreme heat alerts
An extreme heat watch — which will likely be elevated to a warning this weekend — has been issued for 15 New Jersey counties, effective from Monday morning through Wednesday evening.
The heat watch applies to Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.
“There is an extreme risk of heat related illnesses during this period, especially for those most vulnerable,” the National Weather Service’s New Jersey office said on Friday. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
The weather service noted that “multiple consecutive days of extreme heat and humidity will likely exacerbate the impacts from this heat wave.”
Current weather radar
Stories by Len Melisurgo
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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.
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