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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.
