New Jersey braces for storms, heat, and a sudden cold snap

Tonight, northern New Jersey could see some rough weather after 7 p. m. , with isolated thunderstorms packing strong winds and hail. These storms aren’t expected to blanket the whole state—just a few scattered cells popping up before midnight. On Thursday, the heat returns, pushing temperatures into the mid-80s to low 90s, even though skies might get cloudy. The coast, however, will stay cooler thanks to ocean breezes.This week’s weather is part of a larger pattern. The state is still feeling the effects of dry conditions, with humidity dropping and winds picking up by Thursday. That combination raises the wildfire risk, especially since drought has left plants and soil parched. Records show this isn’t unusual for mid-April—Newark hit 92°F in 2002, Trenton 91°F in 2012, and Atlantic City 89°F the same year. Looking ahead, the weekend starts warm but ends with a sharp change. Showers might appear Saturday night into Sunday, but they won’t do much for drought relief. By Monday, a cold front arrives, dropping daytime highs into the 50s and sending nighttime lows below freezing. It’s a quick flip from summer-like warmth to winter-like chill.