New Jersey Faces Dangerous Triple-Digit Heat Ahead of July 4 as Heat Index Could Reach 115 Degrees

New Jersey is entering the Independence Day holiday period under some of the most dangerous weather conditions of the year, with extreme heat expected to push temperatures into the triple digits on Thursday and Friday. Combined with rising humidity, the weather could feel as hot as 115 degrees in many parts of the state, creating hazardous conditions for residents planning outdoor activities during the holiday weekend.

According to weather officials, inland communities will experience the highest temperatures, while nearly the entire state will deal with dangerous heat that is expected to continue through Saturday evening. The combination of scorching temperatures and high humidity will make it feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses for anyone spending extended time outdoors.

The hottest weather is expected on Thursday and Friday, when afternoon temperatures are forecast to climb between 100 and 105 degrees across much of New Jersey. Humidity will add another five to ten degrees to the heat index, causing many locations to experience “feels like” temperatures ranging from 105 to as high as 115 degrees.

An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for most of New Jersey through 8 p.m. Saturday, highlighting the seriousness of the weather situation. Even after sunset, residents should not expect much relief. Overnight temperatures are forecast to stay unusually warm, remaining mostly in the 70s and even reaching the 80s in some areas. These warm nights reduce the body’s ability to recover from prolonged exposure to extreme heat, making the conditions even more dangerous over several consecutive days.

While the intense heat remains the primary concern, forecasters are also warning that severe thunderstorms could develop during the afternoons and evenings throughout the holiday weekend. The threat begins Friday and is expected to continue through Saturday, bringing the possibility of damaging wind gusts in parts of the state.

Much of New Jersey has been placed under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms on both Friday and Saturday. Although this is the second-lowest category on the national severe weather risk scale, weather officials caution that strong storms could still produce damaging winds capable of causing localized impacts. The greatest chance for thunderstorms is expected during the late afternoon and evening hours each day.

The dangerous weather has already affected Fourth of July celebrations across New Jersey. Several municipalities have decided to cancel or reschedule Independence Day events because of the extreme temperatures, choosing public safety over outdoor gatherings during the peak of the heat wave.

The current forecast also suggests that several long-standing daily temperature records for July 2 and July 3 could be challenged at weather observation sites across the state. Although some daily records may be tied or broken, temperatures are not expected to surpass New Jersey’s all-time highest recorded temperatures. The state’s historical record highs remain 106 degrees at Atlantic City International Airport and Trenton Mercer Airport, while Newark Liberty International Airport holds the highest all-time mark at 108 degrees.

At the Jersey Shore, beachgoers are also facing another weather-related hazard. A high risk of dangerous rip currents is in place on Thursday before conditions improve slightly to a moderate risk on Friday. Anyone visiting the coast should remain cautious, as rip currents can quickly pull swimmers away from shore even when skies appear calm.

The weather pattern is expected to gradually improve as the weekend continues. Saturday will still be very hot, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid-90s to around 100 degrees. Heat index values are forecast to range between 100 and 108 degrees, particularly along and southeast of the Interstate 95 corridor, meaning dangerous conditions will continue despite a slight decrease in air temperatures.

By Sunday, temperatures are expected to ease further, with highs settling into the low to mid-90s across much of New Jersey. At the same time, the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms will increase, with rain chances rising to between 60 and 70 percent across most areas on Sunday and continuing into Monday.

The arrival of additional clouds and rainfall should provide more meaningful relief early next week. Forecast highs on Monday are expected to fall into the mid- to upper-80s, bringing an end to the prolonged stretch of dangerous heat that has affected New Jersey heading into the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Sources

• National Weather Service (NWS)
• National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
• AccuWeather