Excessive Heat Warning Issued For Parts Of NJ: See Where

NEW JERSEY - The extensive summer heat wave in the Garden State isn’t over yet: as weekend temperatures are expected to surpass the low-100s, the National Weather Service has prompted warnings and advisories throughout the state.

An excessive heat warning is in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday for four New Jersey counties - Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester - as “dangerously hot conditions” with heat index values up to 107 degrees are slated to hit the areas.

“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the National Weather Service said in the warning. “The most dangerous combination of hot temperatures and high humidity is expected to occur during Sunday. Temperatures at night will struggle to drop below 80 degrees, especially in the highly urbanized areas such as Center City Philadelphia.”

A heat advisory is also in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through 8 p.m. Sunday for Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Ocean, Monmouth, Atlantic, Cape May, Salem and Cumberland counties as heat index values up to 105 are expected.

"Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur," the National Weather Service said in the advisory. "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."

Sunday will be the peak of the heat and humidity with widespread heat index values in the 100- to 108-degree range in the region, forecasters said, with the highest temperatures to reach southern and central New Jersey and north and west through the urban corridor.

As far as precipitation goes, the forecast should be clear through Sunday, with the exception of a few late day showers and thunderstorms near the southern Poconos and northwest New Jersey.

Despite the prolonged heat in the state this week, forecasters say an end to blistering temperatures is in sight as chances of showers and thunderstorms will return into Monday as a cold front approaches the region, the agency wrote in a forecast discussion. Monday evening should see temperatures drop into the low-70s, with Tuesday highs to reach the mid-80s.

"The cold front will finally bring some relief from the extended heat wave into early next week with cooler high pressure building in just north of the area into Wednesday along with more seasonable conditions," forecasters said.

Here’s the latest forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog before 4 a.m., then patchy fog after 5 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69.