SATURDAY’S FORECAST | It is quiet and muggy as we wake up, but showers and storms will develop this afternoon and evening, especially for southern areas.
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📹FRIDAY’S FORECAST | Same humidity, higher heat. The inland heat index will reach 100F.
For some, HEAVY downpours happen later today. How’s the weekend?
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🌦️THURSDAY’S FORECAST | Self-destructive sunshine today. We got from sun to storms. And those storms pose a risk for power outages plus flooding rain too. I’ll tell ya when the window for rain opens and a 50-50 summer weekend ahead.
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WEDNESDAY’S FORECAST | It’s not extremely hot, it’s not extremely wet, it’s comfortable across the coastal counties! 70s and 80s for highs. Storms return to the forecast Thursday. Will it be OK for the weekend? Tune in!
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The heat that hit the Jersey Shore from July 1 to July 5 was not normal summer heat.
It was rare, dangerous and even deadly.
In New Jersey, 29 people died during the stretch of extreme heat, according to reports. Heat is often the deadliest type of weather in the United States, and this heat wave showed why.
The biggest number came from Atlantic City International Airport. On the Fourth of July, the airport reached 106 degrees. That tied the hottest temperature ever recorded there.
Several daily records were also broken during the heat wave.
On July 2, Millville reached 100 degrees. Atlantic City International Airport hit 103 degrees that same day. More records were broken on July 3 at Atlantic City International Airport, Millville, Atlantic City Marina and Freehold.
Then came July 4, when Atlantic City International Airport tied its all-time record high of 106 degrees.
The nights were also unusually hot.
For three nights in a row, overnight temperatures stayed near record levels. From the night of July 3 into July 4, Atlantic City International Airport never dropped below 80 degrees. That is one of the warmest nights ever recorded there.
The last heat wave close to this one happened in July 2011. That was also when Atlantic City International Airport reached 106 degrees.
When comparing the July 2026 heat wave to the July 2011 heat wave, this one was close, but just below the 2011 stretch. Still, for inland parts of the coastal counties, this was likely the second or third hottest stretch on record going back to the 1940s.
So why did it get so hot?
A strong area of high pressure was sitting over the Mid-South. High pressure spins clockwise. That helped send hot air from the Gulf region into the Midwest and then toward New Jersey.
By Friday and Saturday, winds turned more from the west and northwest. That kept the air a little less humid than usual. Dew points were mostly in the 60s instead of the very sticky 70s.
That drier air helped temperatures climb even higher.
When the air is very humid, it can be harder for temperatures to rise as much. But when the air is dry, the sun can heat the ground more easily. That is why desert cities like Phoenix can reach the 110s, while a humid city like Miami rarely gets above 99 degrees.
Climate change also played a role.
Because of human-caused climate change, this kind of heat from July 2 to July 5 was made about three to five times more likely. That does not mean the heat wave could not have happened without climate change. It means climate change increased the odds.
Think of it like rolling a die. If one side of the die is changed to another six, you can still roll other numbers. But your chances of rolling a six go up.
That is what climate change is doing with extreme heat. It is loading the dice toward hotter weather.
The heat in South Jersey felt more like the desert Southwest. From July 1 to July 5, the average temperature at Atlantic City International Airport was close to what Tucson, Arizona, normally sees during the same time of year.
Along the coast, Atlantic City Marina had temperatures closer to what Honolulu, Hawaii, usually feels in early July.
In other words, New Jersey lived through desert and tropical heat at the same time.
This was not just a hot few days. It was one of the most extreme heat waves on record for the Jersey Shore region.
In this episode, we explore the critical issue of coastal flooding and sea level rise, featuring expert insights from Dr. Wanyun Shao at the University of Alabama. We discuss risk assessment, social vulnerabilities, and practical measures for communities along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
LISTEN: https://tidalfloodingtalk.riverside.com
Experience Tidal Flooding Talk every Tuesday night, America’s leading show on coastal flooding resilience. Hosted by the New Jersey Coastal Coalition, which formed after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, it empowers leaders with dynamic workshops. Visit njcoastalcoalition.com to learn more!
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Coastal Challenges 04:15 Understanding Flood Risks in Major Cities 10:33 Social Vulnerability and Flooding 16:50 Public Awareness and Preparedness 22:13 Strategies for Mitigating Flood Risks 27:39 Personal Reflections and Celebrations
Tremendous flooding hit Monmouth County and parts of Ocean County Monday (July 6) after heavy rain moved through the area. This was not tidal flooding. The water came from rain alone.
Photos from across the region showed flooded roads, high water in neighborhoods and dangerous conditions for drivers. One of the most serious reports came from the BJ’s Wholesale Club in Ocean Township, where part of the roof collapsed. Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported, but the situation could have been much worse.
The National Weather Service received many flooding reports from the area. There were dozens of water rescues after people drove into water that was too deep for their vehicles. Major roads were also closed in several coastal communities. Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township had flooding on the first floor and in the emergency room.
The flooding happened because several thunderstorms moved over the same areas again and again. Meteorologists call this “training.” It is similar to train cars moving over the same track. When storms train over one place, rainfall can pile up quickly.
The heaviest rain fell in coastal Monmouth County, where some areas saw more than 4 inches. Inland Monmouth County and northern Ocean County also saw heavy rain, with many places picking up 3 to 4 inches.
Neptune Township had some of the highest rainfall totals, with more than 4.75 inches reported. Allentown, in western Monmouth County, received about 4.5 inches. Jackson Township in Ocean County also saw more than 4 inches of rain.
At one point in Neptune Township, the amount of rain that fell in 30 minutes and in one hour was considered a 1-in-100-year rainfall event. That means this kind of rainfall has about a 1% chance of happening in any given year. That extreme rain helps explain why Neptune, Ocean Township, Deal and nearby communities saw such serious flooding.
The heavy rain was not spread evenly across New Jersey. While parts of Monmouth, Ocean, Camden and Cumberland counties saw very heavy rain, far southeastern New Jersey saw much less. Atlantic City International Airport picked up only 0.14 inches of rain from Saturday to Tuesday.
That sharp difference shows why this storm was so unusual. Some coastal areas saw almost no rain, while nearby communities dealt with flooding, road closures, water rescues and damage from several inches of rain in a short amount of time.
📹TUESDAY’S FORECAST | Today is recovery day from the flooding that gripped Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. Elsewhere, it’s just a gloomy, damp day. Summer comfort returns later this week. Plus, a look at the tropics.
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Flooding developed quickly Monday morning across Monmouth County and northern Ocean County, creating dangerous travel conditions and forcing several road closures.
In Highlands, flooding was reported near Snug Harbor and Bay Avenue. Roads were closed in the Monmouth County Bayshore town because of high water.
Flooding was also reported in several other Monmouth County communities, including Wall, Monmouth Beach, Deal and Neptune Township. Ocean Avenue in Deal had flooding, and Route 71, a major road through the borough, was closed.
There were also water rescues reported in Neptune Township. A water rescue means someone drove into floodwater, got stuck and needed help getting out. This is why drivers should never go through flooded roads.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune also had water on the first floor Monday, according to reports. In Ocean Township, the roof of the BJ’s on Route 35 partially collapsed during the storm.
The past few hours have been dangerous for drivers in Monmouth County and northern Ocean County. If you do not need to travel Monday afternoon, it is best to stay off the roads.
It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock a person off their feet. One foot of moving water can sweep away a car. About 20 inches of moving water can sweep away larger vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
Flash flood warnings remained in effect Monday afternoon for parts of Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. Other flash flood warnings were in place from the Trenton area into far western Monmouth County. A flood watch also continued for the rest of the area through Monday evening because more heavy rain was possible.
The good news is that the worst of the rain appears to be over. However, more showers are expected through Monday night. Some of those showers could still be heavy at times, but they should not be as intense as what fell Monday morning.
From Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning, the main concern will be spotty heavy downpours. By sunrise Tuesday, a few showers may develop south of the Atlantic City Expressway. Farther north, especially in northern and eastern Monmouth County, conditions should be mostly dry by Tuesday morning.
Most places will only see a few more tenths of an inch of rain. However, some coastal communities could still pick up another 2 inches if a heavy downpour moves over the same area.
Conditions will improve by Wednesday, with a dry and pleasant day expected. Thursday will be seasonable. By Friday and Saturday, the weather pattern turns more humid, with the chance for scattered thunderstorms.
The end of the week does not look like a washout. Most outdoor plans should be fine, but people should keep an eye on the sky and stay updated on the forecast.
Atlantic City International Airport tied it’s all-time record high temperature at 106F on July 4, 2026. The previous 106F was in June, 28 1969.
It goes to the National Weather Service for final approval.
Happy Birthday, America.