By: Richard L. Smith
My friends and family in Newark are waking up to a refreshingly cool and partly cloudy Sunday morning, with temperatures sitting comfortably at 73 degrees in the downtown area.
For early risers heading to worship services or out for a morning walk, conditions are pleasant with a light breeze and no immediate precipitation on radar.
Sorry, but the calm won’t last long; the mercury will be off to the races, and it will get hot.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will steadily rise throughout the morning, and the city is expected to reach a high near 91 degrees by mid-afternoon. 
With humidity in the mix, heat index values may climb as high as 98, making for a sweltering second half of the day.
There is a chance of showers before 11 a.m., with thunderstorms becoming more likely after 2 p.m.
Forecasters predict the evening hours will bring a 30 percent chance of lingering storms before 8 p.m., followed by partly cloudy skies and an overnight low around 69.
Stay hydrated, cool, and keep an umbrella nearby, just in case.