Easter Weekend Washout In NJ? Here’s What The Latest Forecasts Show

New Jersey can expect a warm but increasingly unsettled Easter weekend, with shower chances on both Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service and AccuWeather.

This comes after a weather week that saw near-record high temps before a massive temperature drop Thursday.

Saturday will be the drier of the two days, though not entirely clear. AccuWeather forecasts a high of 74 degrees for the Newark area, with clouds and breaks of sun and a shower possible, putting precipitation probability at 55 percent.

The National Weather Service is slightly more optimistic, calling for mostly sunny skies and a high near 77, with a 30 percent chance of showers developing after 2 p.m.

Easter Sunday looks wetter and breezier. The NWS forecasts a 70 percent chance of showers statewide, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 70 degrees.

AccuWeather's forecast aligns closely, projecting a high of 67 degrees, a 67 percent chance of precipitation, and a 27 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. South-southwest winds could gust up to 28 mph through the day.

Residents planning outdoor Easter events should aim for Saturday morning, before shower chances climb through the afternoon.

Sunday's best window appears to be the morning hours, with AccuWeather noting partly sunny conditions before clouds and showers move in by afternoon.

Here's the forecast for the next few days:

• Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 2 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 48. East wind around 11 mph.
• Thursday Night: A chance of drizzle or light rain. Areas of fog after 8 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind 6 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Friday: A slight chance of drizzle or light rain before 11 a.m. Areas of fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
• Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
• Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
• Sunday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com