NEW JERSEY— Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will move across New Jersey through Saturday, bringing locally heavy downpours, lightning and humid conditions before a cold front ushers in drier air for the second half of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Most of Friday will remain warm and mostly cloudy statewide.
Afternoon temperatures will climb into the mid- and upper 80s before rain chances increase Friday night as the approaching cold front moves toward the region.
Rain is expected to develop overnight Friday before becoming more widespread Saturday morning.
"A slow-moving cold front will provide a focus for showers, with perhaps a few storms as well, tonight through the day Saturday. The best chance for widespread rain will be near/south of I-78 during the day on Saturday. " National Weather Service forecasters said.
The greatest coverage of showers and thunderstorms is expected Saturday morning into the afternoon before the cold front gradually pushes offshore Saturday night.
While widespread flooding is not anticipated, thunderstorms could produce locally heavy rainfall, brief ponding on roadways and reduced visibility during heavier downpours.
Temperatures will cool noticeably behind the front, with highs dropping into the upper 70s Saturday before lower humidity arrives Sunday.
Partly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s are expected Sunday as a more comfortable air mass settles across the state.
Friday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with a high between 85 and 86. Rain is not expected through most of the day.
Friday night: Showers begin developing after midnight, with the best chance for rain arriving toward daybreak Saturday. Low between 71 and 73. Chance of rain increases to nearly 50 percent by sunrise.
Saturday: Showers remain likely through the morning and afternoon with occasional thunderstorms possible. High between 80 and 81. Rain chances range from 40 percent to more than 50 percent before gradually decreasing during the evening.
Saturday night: A few lingering showers remain possible during the evening before skies gradually clear overnight. Low falls into the upper 60s.
Sunday: Partly sunny and less humid with a high in the lower 80s.
Friday: Mostly cloudy and warm with highs between 86 and 87.
Friday night: Rain chances steadily increase overnight, with showers becoming likely toward daybreak Saturday. Low between 67 and 69.
Saturday: Showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely through much of the morning and afternoon. High between 77 and 78. Rain chances peak around 70 percent during the morning before slowly decreasing late in the day.
Saturday night: A few showers linger into the evening before ending overnight. Low around 65 to 66.
Sunday: Partly sunny with highs in the upper 70s.
Friday: Mostly cloudy and warm with highs between 87 and 88.
Friday night: Scattered showers develop overnight before becoming likely toward sunrise Saturday. Low between 67 and 68. Rain chances increase to more than 70 percent by daybreak.
Saturday: Periods of showers and scattered thunderstorms continue through much of the day. High between 77 and 78. Rain chances remain between 60 percent and 80 percent through the afternoon before tapering during the evening.
Saturday night: A few lingering showers remain possible early before gradually ending overnight. Low around 65.
Sunday: Partly sunny and less humid with highs in the upper 70s.
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