Summer is making a comeback on Tuesday, with temperatures and humidity both expected to soar this afternoon, making it feel as hot as 100 degrees or slightly higher in some parts of New Jersey.
The actual air temperature is expected to climb into the upper 80s to mid-90s -- about 5 to 10 degrees hotter than usual for late August -- and the oppressive humidity will push heat index values up to 98 to 103 degrees in central and western parts of the state and to about 100 degrees in the northeastern region, the National Weather Service said.
With heat that oppressive, people working outside or doing other strenuous outdoor activities can get heat stress or even suffer a heat stroke, the weather service noted. That's why heat advisories have been issued for 11 counties across New Jersey.
One heat advisory runs from noon to 6 p.m. in Hudson, Essex and Union counties, as well as eastern Bergen, eastern Passaic, southern Westchester and New York City. Another heat advisory runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties, as well as northwestern Burlington County and Philadelphia.
Areas shaded in orange are under heat advisories from early Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening. (National Weather Service)
- The weather service offered these tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stay in an air-conditioned room.
- Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
- Check up on relatives and neighbors.
- If you work or spend time outside, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or late evening.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
Slight thunderstorm risk
On top of the heat and humidity, there's a slight risk of severe thunderstorms developing Tuesday afternoon and evening in New Jersey's northern counties, particularly Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren, as well as Hunterdon.
"There is a potential for a few storms to become severe this evening, with the primary threat being locally damaging winds," the weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook.
Some good news: After a thunderstorm threat on Wednesday, New Jersey will be entering an extended period of dry and cooler weather, with temperatures staying in the upper 70s to low 80s. The normal daily high for late August is 84 degrees.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.