The Heat is On (May 21-23)

Discussion: High pressure continues to dominate the E US setup in a prolonged upper-level ridge pattern. We’re going to see high pressure retrograde off the Atlantic Ocean Friday and make it as far W as Missouri on Saturday (rare). This area of high pressure should then return back to the E into the Atlantic Ocean Sunday. This should allow most NJ temperatures to climb into the 80s/90s this weekend with elevated but bearable humidity (70s and 80s for the beaches). Skies should be clear and mostly dry. There’s just a small chance for isolated showers, possibly a boomer, Saturday night into Sunday morning as a shortwave dives S over NJ on the E side of the high pressure. Sunday into Monday should then be a noticeable drop in temperature as another area of high pressure dives in from E Canada and kicks up onshore marine flow for all of NJ. With the ocean still in the 50s, this should prevent most areas from escaping the 70s on Monday with cloudy skies likely. Great if you like Pelican watching from land I suppose. 80s and 90s should then return by midweek as the high’s position creates return flow.

Friday (May 21) high temperatures should reach well into the 80s for most areas. Interior CNJ/SNJ could flirt with 90+. Immediate coastal regions should hang in the 70s. Skies should be mostly sunny. Winds should be light out of the S/SW. Overnight lows should fall to near-60 statewide.

Saturday (May 22) high temperatures should break into the 90s for many areas. Immediate coastal regions should even break into the 80s. Skies should be mixed with sun and clouds. Winds should be light out of the W. Overnight lows should range from near-60 to near-70 from elevations to coasts.

Sunday (May 23) high temperatures should again break into the 90s for most areas. Immediate coastal regions should climb well into the 80s. Skies should be mostly sunny and breezy out of the NW. Overnight lows should range from near-50 to near-60 from elevations to coasts.

An early look at next week indicates a much cooler and cloudy start for Monday into Tuesday (highs in 70s). Temps should then climb back into the 90s for most for Wednesday-Friday. I’ll have an early look at Memorial Day Weekend on Sunday when I make the Monday-Friday outlook. Everyone have a great weekend. Please stay cool and hydrated. Be safe! JC

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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 and forecasting services for New Jersey and immediate surrounding areas through the web, social media, and app spaces. Originally branded as Severe NJ Weather (before 2014), Weather NJ is proud to bring you accurate and responsible discussions ahead of high-stakes weather scenarios that impact the garden state. All Weather. All New Jersey.™