Air Quality Alerts Issued In These NJ Counties

Air quality alerts have been issued across New Jersey Friday as ozone levels rise ahead of another hot day, according to the latest forecast.

Alerts will be in effect all day in Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Union and eastern Passaic counties.

"Sensitive individuals, including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours," the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said.

At the same time, a hot day is in store, with much of the state reaching the low 90s.

"Though warm, it will be pleasant, given surface dew points will generally be in the mid 50s in the morning, mixing down to the upper 40s and low 50s this afternoon," National Weather Service forecasters said. "As a result, max heat index values will be in the upper 80s to around 90."

Warmth will continue into Saturday, though it will be slightly more humid and therefore max heat index values will creep up.

A cold front crosses the state Saturday night, ushering in scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some could be strong to severe, according to the National Weather Service.

Showers could linger along the coast into Sunday, but things should end up mostly dry, according to the forecast.

Next week will start off cooler, but warming temperatures are expected throughout the week.