Thunderstorms, Heavy Rainfall, Hot Temps In NJ Weekend Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Turn on your air conditioners, New Jersey: this weekend will be a scorcher, despite thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and possible flooding in the forecast.

Friday will see mostly sunny skies with temperatures expected to climb to 91, according to the National Weather Service, although apparent temperatures will top out in the 94-to-96-degree range with high dew points. The forecast should stay mostly dry, save for storms passing over north of Philadelphia.

“Severe storms are not expected, but downpours may cause some minor flooding later today [in the area],” the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.

The forecast will turn sour starting Saturday with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and temperatures near 90 degrees, although temperatures may be higher along the I-95 corridor. Some storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service added.

The heaviest showers and thunderstorms should occur in the afternoon through early evening, with the southern part of the state expected to see the heaviest impacts.

“Given the locally heavy rain, there may be some flash flooding. Cannot rule out a few stronger to possibly severe thunderstorms in the afternoon,” the National Weather Service said.

Storms are slated to continue through Saturday night into Sunday morning, with a chance of thunderstorms up until 2 p.m. The good news: skies should gradually clear with partly sunny skies expected by Sunday afternoon and temperatures near 85 degrees.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 90. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.