More record warmth for NJ Thursday, then rainy and cooler
Temperatures may very well break records once again on Thursday, but some subtle weather changes are coming by the weekend.
Here are your weather headlines for Thursday, March 10, 2016...
Records Smashed Wednesday
WOW. What an incredibly warm day on Wednesday, with a good chunk of New Jersey breaking the 80-degree mark. According to my research, this is the earliest in the year New Jersey has hit 80+ degrees. Quite impressive for mid-March, with normal high temperatures in the upper 40s. (I personally broke out the shorts and sandals Wednesday afternoon for the first time in a long time!)
The warmest spots in the state, according to the NJ Weather and Climate Network, were Hamilton (Mercer County), Sicklerville (Camden County), and Toms River (Ocean County). Newark and Trenton broke records, with highs of 82 and 80 degrees, respectively. (Old records were 74 for Newark and 73 for Trenton.) Atlantic City Airport tied the previous high temperature for March 9, at 78 degrees.
More Unseasonable Warmth Thursday
It will be very warm again for Thursday, and I do anticipate another potentially record-breaking day, especially for the southern half of New Jersey. The brisk southwest wind will continue, gusting at times over 20 mph.
However, there are some subtle changes ahead for Thursday, amidst the warmth. Clouds will increase, from partly to mostly cloudy this afternoon (especially in North Jersey). And an approaching storm system could "spit" out a stray shower in North Jersey by this afternoon.
Due to the clouds and rain chance, high temperatures in North Jersey will probably be limited to the lower to mid 70s today - still well above normal, but probably not record-breaking. Meanwhile, South Jersey will be similar to Wednesday, in the upper 70s to maybe lower 80s. The Jersey Shore will be a bit cooler, again in the 60s.
A Little Fall of Rain, A Little Cooldown
Showers will continue spreading south from Thursday night through Friday morning. Everyone in the state will likely see at least a few raindrops overnight, and we might wake up to some wet roads on Friday. Rainfall totals, however, will remain light - less than a quarter-inch statewide.
After the rain clears out early Friday, skies should clear to sunshine by Friday afternoon. Friday's highs are expected to still reach the lower to mid 60s. Yes, it will be cooler than Wednesday and Thursday, as we miss the 70s. But 60+ is still 10 to 15 degrees above normal for mid-March.
The weekend is actually looking pretty good. That's especially true for Saturday, with mostly sunny skies, a light breeze, and pleasant high temperatures around 60 degrees.
On Sunday, clouds will increase again, and I can't rule out an isolated shower (especially late in the day). Highs will be in the lower 60s across the Garden State.
A better chance for steady light rain is forecast for Sunday night into Monday.
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