STORM WATCH: Heat busting thunderstorms expected this evening in New Jersey

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High heat and humidity continue today with highs near 96 and feel like temperatures between 100 and 105 degrees. It is officially a heat wave since the last three days featured temperatures in the 90s. This is a third heatwave of the year. Thunderstorms are expected to arrive today after 4 p.m. and continue until about midnight. These storms will come with damaging winds and downpours. Power outages and widespread issues are expected across the state this evening. Humidity lowers overnight into tomorrow and weather conditions return to a seasonal experience with highs in the upper 80s with reasonable feel-like temperatures. This remains this way through the weekend with highs in the mid-80s with dry conditions. The abnormally dry soil conditions are creating the threat for drought across New Jersey. There is a moderate drought already for most of Mercer County, where water levels are lower than usual, and plants are browning.

Storm Watch

Gusty thunderstorms expected to produce damage, area flooding, and frequent lightning across New Jersey this evening. WHAT: A cluster of thunderstorms develop from puffy cumulonimbus clouds after 4 p.m. today, arriving from west to east to use the heat and humidity to create damaging and powerful wind gusts that knock out the heat and humidity for the ending of the week. Gusts can be in excess of 60-70 mph in the strongest of storms. WHERE: Statewide, strong storms are expected to ramp up as they move across the coastal plain toward the coast. Heads up along I-195. WHEN: Puffy clouds appear after 2 p.m. Strong storms begin clustering and arriving near 4 p.m. Storms end between 11 p.m. and midnight. UNCERTAINTY: These thunderstorms are expected to be widespread, thus most communities in New Jersey will experience inclement weather. However, not every single storm will be severe. Severe weather is usually concentrated in the strongest thunderstorm cells, which we won't know until they begin to pop up. Thunderstorm warnings should be heeded as gusts can be in excess of 60-70 mph in the strongest ones. Tornadoes are NOT expected, but there is always a threat for rotation when there is a wind threat for severe thunderstorms. This is important to note that tornado warnings may not necessarily produce a tornado, but can produce gustnado, micro/macroburst, or straight line winds. "