By: Richard L. Smith
We are warming up today as temperatures climb into the mid to upper 80s across Newark and the North Jersey region on this first day of September.
Good morning, Jersey, and welcome to the fourth quarter of the year.
As of 4:30 a.m., it is 72 degrees in downtown Newark, and we are in for a summery day before the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms increases later this afternoon and evening.
An AccuWeather Alert is in effect as showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the region.
It will not rain all day, and much of the daytime period should remain dry, but any storms that develop later could become severe, bringing damaging winds and hail to portions of the area.
Temperatures are starting mild across the state this morning, with Somerville at 69 degrees, Trenton at 71, Toms River at 74, Irvington at 72 and much of Passaic County around 70 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are expected to become possible between 2 and 5 p.m., followed by showers and potentially additional thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Some storms could become severe.
The high will reach around 86 degrees with southwest winds of 3 to 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%, with rainfall totals between a quarter and half-inch possible.
Storms could continue into Tuesday night before gradually tapering off after 11 p.m. The overnight low will be around 70 degrees.
So, while much of Tuesday should remain dry, keep the umbrella nearby and stay weather-aware later today as potentially severe storms move through the Newark and North Jersey region.