Heat advisories, storm warnings continue into the week for South Jersey

Forget the summer sun. Heavy rain is in the forecast for South Jersey this week, accompanied by continuing excessive heat warnings through Tuesday night.

Storms are expected to occur throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday in areas of the South Jersey region, according to the National Weather Service.

Heat indexes are expected to reach over 100 degrees throughout the area Monday and climb into the 80s and 90s at the shore.

The NWS says that the heat wave is expected to last through Wednesday, when excessive heat warnings will be downgraded to watches.

Temps should cool off into the mid-80s by Thursday in some areas.

Heat, humidity and rainfall have been a consistent theme throughout the mid-summer.

Severe thunderstorm warnings were in place in South Jersey Sunday night, and other storms earlier in the summer caused tree damages.

What is the difference between a heat advisory and a heat warning?

Heat advisories and excessive heat watches and warnings differ in levels of concern and anticipated impacts, according to meteorologist Sarah Johnson.

Heat advisories typically have a lower level of concern, while excessive heat warnings are associated with higher and more widespread impacts of heat.

What is the heat index?

The heat index is what "the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature," according to the National Weather Service. The combined reading of temperature and humidity is a better estimate of how the human body is feeling the heat.

"When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire or sweat to cool itself off. If the perspiration is not able to evaporate, the body cannot regulate its temperature," the agency says.

When relative humidity is high, the rate of evaporation from the body decreases.

"In other words," it says, "the human body feels warmer in humid conditions."

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.