North Jersey braces for a couple of steamy days

North Jersey won’t get much of a break this week—temperatures are climbing, and so is the humidity. The National Weather Service says the area should expect a heat advisory starting Thursday at noon, stretching until 8 p. m. Friday. That covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties, but the heat won’t just stick to these spots. The mix of high temps and thick humidity could push the "feels like" temperature to nearly 100 degrees. While the actual air temperature might hover around 95 degrees, the real concern is how unbearable it will feel outside. Not great news if you’re planning to spend time outside without shade or water.Some brief relief might come in the form of showers and thunderstorms later Thursday and again Friday afternoon. But don’t get too excited—those storms may bring strong winds that could cause trouble. By the weekend, things should cool down a bit as a cold front moves in, finally giving the region a break. So what exactly makes this a heat advisory? The National Weather Service flags these warnings when the combination of heat and humidity makes it feel like it’s 95 to 99 degrees for two days in a row, or 100 to 104 degrees even for a short time. If you’re older or have health issues, this kind of heat can be especially risky. Stay in the shade or find a cool place if you’re outside for long. Fans and air conditioning are your friends. And remember: heat stroke isn’t something to ignore. If someone shows signs of overheating, call emergency services right away.