Rain Brings Hopeful Relief to Dry New Jersey

New Jersey’s long‑dry spell may finally get a break. Late Wednesday, rain will roll in from the west and linger into Thursday night. The National Weather Service says showers could bring between a quarter inch and three‑quarters of an inch of water, though stronger bursts might produce more. The forecast is a touch lower than earlier estimates. Storms are unlikely to be very strong, as clouds keep the air stable. Still, a single thunderstorm could pop up in the evening, so people should stay alert. Tuesday night stays clear. Winds are light and coming from the southeast before fading. Wednesday starts dry, with temperatures like Tuesday’s. Later that day, clouds gather and rain begins over western New Jersey.Nightfall brings a dip in visibility as showers intensify, then fade from west to east by early Thursday morning. Winds shift from a gentle southeast push to a brisk northwest breeze as a cold front moves through. By Thursday, rain ends quickly and a gusty northwest wind can reach up to 25 miles per hour. Friday will stay dry, with west‑northwest gusts around 20 mph. Temperatures from Friday through the weekend will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal, making Saturday the coolest day. A storm system might approach New Jersey on Saturday, possibly delivering more rain, but predictions vary. Some models keep the storm farther south and weaker; others bring it close enough for widespread showers. Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with highs between 55 and 60 degrees. The rainfall this week could help ease the moderate drought affecting all 21 counties, one step below a severe dry spell.