☀️FRIDAY’S FORECAST | You know what they say: Memorial Day Weekend we shiver, Fourth of July we sweat (and boy did we) and Labor Day weekend we shine.
We got that shine for most of our holiday weekend!
🏈 Your Rutgers tailgate headquarters! Parking at St. George is only 500 yards from SHI Stadium and features 500+ spots, clean restrooms, and quick access to River Road. It’s where Joe parks! Purchase at: www.rutgersparking.com.
LISTEN TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER ROUNDUP HERE
New Jersey’s August was soaked by a statewide average of 7.26 inches of rain in 2026. That was 2.69 inches above normal and made it the state’s 13th-wettest August on record, according to preliminary data from the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.
The wet weather continued a sharp turn that began around Independence Day. New Jersey entered July with a summer rainfall shortage of about 2 inches. Since July 4, the state has erased that shortage and gained about 2 additional inches.
“Basically, since Independence Day, it’s been raining a lot,” State Climatologist Dr. John Krasting said.
Some areas were hit much harder than others. Parts of eastern Cumberland and Atlantic counties received more than a foot of rain during August. Sections of Middlesex, Union, Hudson and Essex counties picked up about 8 inches. That was roughly twice their normal August rainfall.
Several storms also produced intense rain over short periods. Millville recorded 2.7 inches in only 30 minutes on Aug. 20. That amount has about a 2% chance of happening in any year. It is often called a 1-in-50-year rainfall event.
Cape May Court House saw another rare downpour late in the month. The area received 2.61 inches in one hour, including 1.34 inches in just 15 minutes. Drivers slowed down or pulled onto the shoulder as rain covered roads and reduced visibility.
The rain brought needed drought relief. The share of New Jersey in drought fell from 47% at the start of August to 22% by late August. Conditions also improved for farms and soil moisture across much of the state.
“The reports I’m hearing are that it’s definitely improving and getting saturated again,” Krasting said.
August also delivered severe weather. An Aug. 20 tornado touched down in a remote marshy area of Estell Manor. It lasted about 30 seconds and caused no known damage. The National Weather Service rated it EFU, or unknown, because there were no damaged buildings or trees that could be used to estimate its winds. It was only New Jersey’s second tornado with that newer designation.
The state has now recorded five tornadoes in 2026. New Jersey averages about two each year. Krasting said better radar, more cameras and possible changes in Jersey Shore sea breezes may all play a role in the recent increase.
The month was warm and especially humid, too. New Jersey’s average temperature was 75.1 degrees. That was 1.5 degrees above normal and ranked as the 12th-warmest August in state history.
“It was miserably humid and sticky out there,” Krasting said. “You could feel like you’re wearing the atmosphere outside.”
Around Aug. 7, dew points near the coast stayed close to 75 degrees through the day and night. That is about as humid as it gets in New Jersey. Warm ocean water, frequent clouds and moisture off the Atlantic also kept many coastal nights unusually warm.
🥵THURSDAY’S FORECAST | Rain gives way to a steamy, hot sun today. We’re talking inland heat indices over 100F, perhaps for the last time in 2026. Severe weather threatens Friday (again). I’ll tell ya when.
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Labor Day weekend is here, and the Jersey Shore forecast offers plenty to like. Meteorologist Joe Martucci breaks down all four days from worst to best—but “worst” is a relative term this time around. With mostly favorable weather expected, the rankings come down to smaller details that could make a big difference in your beach, boardwalk or barbecue plans.
Which day lands at the bottom, and which one delivers the weekend’s best weather? The top choice may not be the day you expect. Watch Joe’s full forecast from Exit Zero in Cape May to see how every day ranks.
Why settle for big chains? Choose Just4Wheels’ family-owned locations all across NJ! Rent brand-new sedans, passenger vans, box trucks and more today! Visit www.just4wheels.com or call 877-650-3500.
WEDNESDAY’S FORECAST | It’s day 2 of 3 with severe weather threatening the Jersey Shore. Damaging winds and flooding rain are again on the docket, just like yesterday. At least Labor Day weekend is (mostly) dry!
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Our first ShorelySafe flood/weather consulting town was our stop Friday (8/28)! PJ, Shawnie and Joe Martucci went to Avalon to film an evergreen video on how Avalon Beach Patrol keeps people safe from lightning.
We definitely brought the weather for a lightning safety shoot. It cracked, it roared, it poured outside. So, we stayed safe in Beach Patrol HQ to hear from Lieutenant Erich Wolf (left)!
ShorelySafe “Boardwalk” clients get 4 professionally done evergreen videos by us. Plus, they get our in-house Flood Mapper, powerful Tidal Flooding Dashboard and full storm weather consultation. www.shorelysafe.live
🥳SATURDAY’S FORECAST | It’s the weekend, Jersey Shore, and we have a winner both Saturday and Sunday! Just watch for rough seas. Next week turns stormy and I’m keeping a real close eye out for Wednesday.
Come visit Headley Family Farm at 120 Province Road in West Creek! It’s where farming the pines meets the Jersey Shore. Get your Jersey Fresh produce here. Open weekends and some weekdays. Call us at 609-848-3763 or follow us on Facebook, too!
🌦️FRIDAY’S FORECAST | Sun n’ showers today… sun n’ no showers for your weekend! We got a good one ahead, Jersey Shore.
🏈 Your Rutgers tailgate headquarters! Parking at St. George is only 500 yards from SHI Stadium and features 500+ spots, clean restrooms, and quick access to River Road. It’s where Joe parks! Purchase at: www.rutgersparking.com.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for all of NJ until 8PM Thursday.
A flood watch is in effect for Gloucester to Atlantic counties on north until 4AM Friday.
The beaches still look to be dry Thursday. However, damaging winds, flooded roads and even a tornado threaten elsewhere.
Why settle for big chains? Choose Just Four Wheels Car, Truck and Van Rental family-owned locations all across NJ! Rent brand-new sedans, passenger vans, box trucks and more today! Visit www.just4wheels.com or call 877-650-3500.