Posted by NEW JERSEY – The post-Labor Day weekend heat in the Garden State is slated to crescendo Wednesday with “feels-like” temperatures in the triple digits, causing several school district schedule changes. A heat advisory in effect for several counties, forecasters said.
Heat indices are set to reach over 100 degrees in areas like Flemington, Trenton and Vineland, with slight relief in the upper 90s by the Jersey Shore, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly station.
Those looking to beat the heat will have to exercise some caution due to a moderate risk for rip currents after a deadly weekend at the shore. Read more: 2 Swimmers Die, 1 Missing, Dozens Rescued On NJ Beaches Over Weekend
As of 9 a.m., there are 15 New Jersey counties under a heat advisory. Heat index values as high as 103 degrees are possible through 8 p.m. Wednesday in Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden and Burlington counties; temperatures near 100 are expected in Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union through 8 p.m. Thursday, forecasters said.
“Simply put, the next several days will be dangerously hot,” the National Weather Service said. “During a heat wave, practice heat safety wherever you are. Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable!”
Some school districts across the state have already announced early dismissals to combat the heat. The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will dismiss classes early on Wednesday and Thursday; the Metuchen School District advised parents on Tuesday to have “alternate plans in case we need additional early dismissal days.”
Similar dismissals were announced by school district officials in Madison, East Brunswick, West Orange, Belleville and Montclair. YMCA after-care programs are also cancelled in Montclair; before-care programs remain in session.
Earlier this week, the Gloucester Township, Camden and Winslow school districts in Camden County all announced the first days of classes for students will be four-hour sessions. Outdoor school activities are cancelled through Friday in Cherry Hill.
And in North Jersey, students in Wayne Township have an early dismissal for their first day of school Wednesday.
New Jerseyans are recommended to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and vulnerable neighbors, the National Weather Service said. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, the weather service said.
Temperatures are expected to dip slightly on Thursday with a high near 92 degrees, though the hot weather streak won’t see a major shift until Friday, when there is a chance of thunderstorms and highs around 85 degrees.
Here’s the latest statewide forecast, according to the National Weather Service:
North Jersey
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 71. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
South Jersey
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 100. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Increasing clouds, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
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