NJ Heatwave Timeline Update: When Will Temps Cool Down?

NEW JERSEY - How long will New Jersey face oppressive heat and sweltering conditions?

The extended wave of “dangerously hot and humid conditions” will continue throughout at least the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, with temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s. The highest heat indices are expected to be felt on Sunday with temperatures pushing the 100s in some regions.

As of Friday morning, there are 14 New Jersey counties under a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Sunday as temperatures are slated to reach a high of around 95 degrees. The affected counties are:

• Bergen
• Passaic
• Union
• Middlesex
• Somerset
• Mercer
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Morris
• Essex
• Hudson
• Monmouth
• Ocean
• Burlington

“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.”

Isolated showers or thunderstorms will be possible later on Friday afternoon and early evening, mainly along and north of I-78, the agency added, though Friday evening won’t bring much relief from the heat due to persisting high temperatures and muggy conditions.

However, chances of showers and thunderstorms will return into Monday as a cold front approaches the area from the north, the agency wrote in a forecast discussion. Monday evening should see temperatures drop into the mid-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 statewide forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78.