By: Richard L. Smith
Residents in Newark and the North Jersey Region are waking up to a "soupy" morning this Friday following the 4th of July celebrations, with temperatures registering at 74 degrees in Newark and a slightly cooler 71 degrees in Sussex.
The day promises to be steamy, with a heat advisory in effect warning of high humidity and temperatures. Poor air quality is prevalent in parts of northern NJ.
Early risers might encounter patchy fog, which is expected to clear by 9 a.m. While there's only a slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms increases after 2 p.m.
According to The National Weather Service, the day will otherwise remain partly sunny with a high near 90 degrees.
Heat index values could soar as high as 97 degrees, making it feel particularly oppressive.
Light south winds of 5 to 10 mph could gust up to 20 mph, adding to the day's challenging weather conditions.
As night falls, the region faces a 40 percent chance of further showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Patchy fog is also expected to redevelop after 11 p.m.
The night will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures maintaining a low around 75 degrees.
Residents are advised to stay hydrated, seek shade during the hottest parts of the day and enjoy the day responsibly despite the challenging weather conditions.