Thunderstorms, Excessive Heat Warning In NJ: See Monday Timeline

NEW JERSEY - Relief from last week’s wave of prolonged extreme heat is finally coming to the Garden State, forecasters said. But first, thunderstorms - some severe - are expected to hit New Jersey on Monday.

After yet another day of heat indices pushing past the 100-degree mark, Monday afternoon is slated to see showers and thunderstorms that will usher in cooler temperatures later in the evening, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures are set to drop down to 72 degrees on Monday night and expected to remain below 90 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday.

As of Monday morning, an excessive heat warning is in place for four New Jersey counties (Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester) through 6 p.m., with dangerously hot conditions expected, including heat index values up to 105.

A heat advisory is also in effect for 14 counties until 6 p.m. Monday, with heat index values up to 100 expected. The affected counties are:

• Bergen
• Union
• Hudson
• Passaic
• Monmouth
• Essex
• Hunterdon
• Middlesex
• Ocean
• Atlantic
• Cape May
• Cumberland
• Salem
• Somerset

Storms are expected to move west to east, with northwestern New Jersey to see storms around noon to 3 p.m. The Jersey Shore, however, won’t see any severe weather until after 6 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The biggest threat during the storms is damaging winds, which are set to reach up to 25 mph, forecasters said.

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

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers between 2 and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.