100+ Degree Days Coming To NJ In Dangerous Heat Wave: See Details

A dangerous heat wave is looming over the Garden State this week as New Jerseyans brace for the consequences of a "heat dome" to soon take effect.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS), dangerously hot and humid conditions will build Wednesday through Saturday.

High temperatures between 95-105° and heat indices of 100-110° are forecast during this period for the East Coast, including area beaches and mountainous areas.

"The hottest conditions are expected Thursday through Friday," NWS said. "Be prepared for the heat if traveling for the holiday weekend. "

In some parts of New Jersey, the heat index could reach over 100°, according to the latest forecast.

In Hackettstown, Wednesday and Saturday are expected to reach a maximum heat index of 103°, while Thursday and Friday are expected to reach 105°.

In Toms River, the highest heat index is forecast for Friday at 112°, while the heat index is expected to reach 110° in Trenton.

An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from Wednesday through Saturday.

"Very warm low temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s at night will not offer any relief from the heat," The weather service said. "This combined with multiple days of near record-breaking temperatures will exacerbate the impacts from the heat and humidity."

Thunderstorms could offer some relief for a brief period in the afternoons on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but it's not yet clear how likely those storms are to hit.

NWS is urging residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Residents are also advised not to leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles, as car interiors "will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."

"People who mind the heat will be very uncomfortable if they don't have air conditioning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said.

Heat domes occur when a massive area of high pressure (in this case covering huge swaths of the eastern half of the country) prevents clouds from forming.

That intensifies temperatures while keeping humidity high for longer periods than normal.

The accumulation of several days of severe temperatures increases the possibility of heat-related illness, the National Weather Service said.

That's particularly true during a long holiday weekend with numerous activities planned outdoors.

According to the NWS, New Jersey has not seen consecutive 100-degree-plus days since 2025 in Atlantic City and 2011 in Trenton.

Here's the latest forecast for New Jersey from the NWS:

North Jersey

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 3-7 MPH.
• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind 3-6 MPH.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5-13 MPH.
• Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 9-14 MPH.
• Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 97. Southwest wind around 10 MPH.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
• Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102.
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 81.
• Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97.
• Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
• Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Central Jersey

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 5 MPH.
• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 MPH becoming calm in the evening.
• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5-10 MPH.
• Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 10 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 5-10 MPH.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
• Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79.
• Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
• Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
• Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

South Jersey

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 10 MPH.

• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 MPH becoming calm in the evening.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind becoming south 5-10 MPH in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 10-15 MPH.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 10-15 MPH.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96.
• Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 78.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
• Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.