By: Richard L. Smith
My friends and family in Newark and the wider North Jersey area are facing a challenging day of weather. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported heavy downpours and high humidity levels early this morning.
Temperatures stood at 74 degrees as of 4:45 a.m., and rain affected much of New Jersey, particularly heavy in Sussex and Passaic counties, where flood warnings had been issued.
The forecast for today includes showers and possible thunderstorms, mainly before 11 a.m., followed by a chance of additional showers and thunderstorms throughout the day.
NWS forecasters say some storms may produce significant rainfall. The high will be near 85 degrees. Winds from the south are expected to blow at 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight, the skies will clear up somewhat, becoming partly cloudy with lows around 74 degrees.
Residents are advised to keep umbrellas handy and prepare for potential flooding, especially in areas already under flood warnings.
This bout of inclement weather is just the precursor to a heatwave expected to start tomorrow, adding another layer of complexity to the region's weather challenges.