New Jersey weather, much like our beautiful state, is full of character and always keeping us on our toes! After what has felt like an unseasonably gloomy and chilly stretch for the past few weeks, often dampening our weekend plans, it appears we’re finally on the cusp of a return to more quintessential summer conditions. The good news? Our recent bout of wet weather has successfully “busted” the drought, which is certainly something to celebrate as we approach the official start of summer.
Let’s break down what’s in store for the Garden State’s skies and temperatures in the coming days, keeping in mind the dynamic nature of our weather patterns.
Shifting Gears into Summer:
The overarching atmospheric patterns suggest that the upper-jet stream, which influences our major weather systems, will largely remain north of New Jersey. This generally points towards warmer, more summery conditions. However, a small dip in this jet stream is anticipated later in the week, bringing a brief but noticeable change.
Monday (June 16th): Holding onto the Chill We started the week still feeling the lingering effects of the cooler pattern. Highs hovered in the low-to-mid 60s, creating a distinctly chilly and humid feel. Skies remained mostly cloudy, with rain approaching from the west as evening set in. Overnight lows stayed just above 60 degrees statewide, maintaining that damp chill.
Tuesday (June 17th): A Warmer, Yet Still Muggy, Transition Today, Tuesday, marks a welcome shift towards warmer temperatures, with most of New Jersey reaching the mid-to-upper 70s. While certainly warmer than the past few days, a humid feel persists under mostly cloudy skies. The air still carries a muggy quality, and showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout the day and into Tuesday night, with overnight lows staying above 65. So, warmer, but perhaps not yet the crisp, sunny summer day we’re craving.
Wednesday (June 18th): Building Heat and Humidity Wednesday looks to bring the mercury up further, with highs reaching the low-to-mid 80s. Skies will offer a mix of sun and clouds, accompanied by a noticeable increase in humidity. As the afternoon rolls around, the potential for scattered thunderstorms emerges. Overnight, things remain sticky, with lows hovering near 70 degrees statewide.
Thursday (June 19th): The Peak of Heat and Storm Potential Thursday is set to be the warmest day of the week, with statewide highs likely hitting 85 degrees. Areas away from the immediate coast and along the I-95 corridor could even push into the 90s. The elevated humidity will make it feel even hotter, with heat indices potentially soaring into the mid-to-upper 90s, or even reaching 100 degrees in spots. While skies will feature mostly sun with building cumulus clouds, the atmosphere will be ripe for storms. Locally isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible, with the potential for some strong to severe weather in the afternoon, especially as a sea breeze front moves inland and ignites additional storm cells. Overnight, skies will begin to clear, but the humidity will linger, with lows ranging from 60 to 70 degrees from north to south.
Friday (June 20th): Welcome Relief Arrives! Finally, a noticeable change! Friday promises a much more comfortable day, as a cold front pushes through, clearing out the humidity. Highs will still be warm, in the low-to-mid 80s for most, with a few spots possibly reaching the upper 80s, but the air will feel considerably drier. Mostly sunny skies and a light westerly breeze will make this a much more pleasant day. Overnight lows will dip into a refreshing range of 55-65 degrees, from north to south, setting the stage for a delightful weekend.
An Early Look at the Weekend (June 21st – 22nd): Summery and Largely Dry! This weekend looks to be a promising one, potentially marking the first in a while without a widespread, region-wide rain event. Expect classic summery conditions: highs in the 80s, a return of some humidity (though less oppressive than Thursday), and largely rain-free skies. While you can never completely rule out isolated, pop-up showers or thunderstorms on any hot and humid afternoon, especially without a strong high-pressure system overhead, widespread rain isn’t currently in the forecast.
Looking even further ahead into next week, temperatures are expected to climb even higher, pushing into the 90s, indicating another heat wave could be on the horizon. For now, enjoy the transition into summer, revel in the dryness returning for the weekend, and stay safe as the temperatures rise!
For comprehensive daily forecasts, important weather alerts, and a deeper dive into the meteorological patterns affecting our beautiful state, be sure to visit our dedicated Weather Report section. Stay informed, and make the most of your New Jersey days!