An Early Taste of Unsettled Summer

Discussion: This weekend looks warm and stormy. An upper closed-off low will get stuck to the S of the Great Lakes and slowly meander across NJ from W to E over the next 5-6 days or so. We can thank a broad and strong ridge forming over SE Canada stretching across Maine into the Atlantic Ocean. For this weekend, the upper low will be stuck to the W of NJ which means a prolonged S flow (warmer temps, humidity, rain and storms). For next week, it might be Thursday by the time the upper low departs NJ for the Atlantic Ocean. That means a prolonged period of unsettled conditions (clouds and rain) but cooler…not thunderstormy like this weekend will be. While suboptimal for outdoor activities, this rain is much needed. So…hot and stormy this weekend then cool and rainy next week through at least Thursday.

Forecast

Friday (May 2) high temperatures should easily reach into the 80s away from the ocean, possibly breaking 90 for WCNJ/SWNJ. ECNJ/SENJ coasties should break into the 70s. Skies should be mostly sunny to start with a more humid feel. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible for afternoon/evening hours. Winds should be breezy to gusty out of the SW. Overnight lows should range from 55-65 NNJ to SNJ with more scattered thunderstorms possible into Saturday morning.

Saturday (May 3) high temperatures should reach into the 80s again away from the ocean. Skies should be mixed with sun and clouds. More scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, especially in the afternoon. Winds should be breezy out of the S/SW. Overnight lows should fall to the lower 60s statewide with more scattered thunderstorms possible.

Sunday (May 4) high temperatures should reach the low-to-mid 70s for most NJ locations. Skies should be mostly cloudy with periods of rain likely with breaks here and there. Winds should be breezy out of the S. Overnight lows should fall to near-60 with rain likely continuing into Monday. Can’t rule out isolated overnight boomers.

An early look at next week (May 5-9) indicates cooler temps after the warmer weekend. I’m seeing upper-60s/lower-70s with ample rain and thunderstorms here and there throughout the week. Everyone have a great weekend and please be safe! JC

Premium Services

KABOOM Club offers ad-free content, inside info forecast discussion, your questions answered, and early storm impact maps and video releases (ahead of the public). At two bucks per month, it’s an extremely feasible way to show additional support for Weather NJ. Think of it as a tip jar with perks. Available onFacebook or Patreon. 

My Pocket Meteorologist (MPM), in partnership with EPAWA Weather Consulting, offers professional/commercial interests, whose businesses depend on outdoor weather conditions (snow plowing, landscaping, construction, etc.), with hyper-local text message alerts/forecasts and access to the MPM premium forum—the most comprehensive and technical forecast discussion available for PA and NJ.

Jonathan Carr

Jonathan Carr (JC) is the founder and sole operator of Weather NJ, New Jersey’s largest independent weather reporting agency. Since 2010, Jonathan has provided weather safety discussion and forecasting services for New Jersey and surrounding areas through the web and social media. Originally branded as Severe NJ Weather (before 2014), Weather NJ is proud to bring you accurate and responsible forecast discussion ahead of high-stakes weather scenarios that impact this great garden state of ours. All Weather. All New Jersey.™ Be safe! JC