Residents may get some relief from a pre-summer heat wave that has blanketed New Jersey for the last few days from severe storms that could move through Wednesday afternoon.
A heat advisory remains in effect through 8 p.m. for most of New Jersey, with heat index values of nearly 100 degrees possible in the interior of the state, which is expected to peak in the early afternoon, the National Weather Service Mount Holly office said.
"Given the intensity of this early season stretch of heat and humidity, we are not fully acclimated to it and therefore impacts could be greater if precautions are not taken," the weather service said.
The arrival of showers and thunderstorms is expected to end the heat as they start moving in after 2 p.m. with a cold front that is approaching the area, the forecast said.
"The main threat is damaging wind gusts," the forecasters said. "Make sure you have ways to receive any warnings! And when thunder roars, go indoors."
The storms also could bring heavy downpours and frequent lightning, the forecast said.
In addition to the heat advisory, an air quality alert is in effect from Ocean and Burlington counties on south.
"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups," the weather service said, including children, people with asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the weather service said.
The preliminary forecast is calling for temperatures near normal for Memorial Day weekend.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across New Jersey Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.