⛈️A strong low pressure will bring a severe weather and flooding threat to the Jersey Shore tomorrow. Meteorologist Derek Diehl has the details on this unique setup.
Never worry about missing severe weather warnings again. Get a call from me, text, or email when your location is impacted. WeatherCall ensures you stay informed for just $15 a year. Sign up: https://ngorder.wxriskalerts.com/db_app2.php?station=cajx
🥳SATURDAY’S FORECAST | It’s our most comfortable weekend of summer so far. A great weekend to visit Headley Family Farm in Eagleswood and eat Jersey Fresh! I do want you to pay attention to a severe weather day next week, though.
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!
Go With Me to Bermuda in October 2027! https://cupajoe.live/joe-martucci-cruise-to-bermuda-fall-2027-sign-up/
Meteorologist Joe Martucci, Founder of Cup A Joe Weather and Drone, spoke with Joanna Gagis of NJ Spotlight News on the severe weather that tore through New Jersey on July 21, 2026.
He was also in a hotel room, so pardon the bad background. Thanks for having us!
A rare tornado touched down in Cape May Point on Tuesday as part of an unusually active month of severe weather across New Jersey.
The storm began as a waterspout over Delaware Bay before moving onto land. It crossed several streets and faded near Lake Lily, not far from the beach. The tornado remained on the ground for about one minute and produced estimated winds of 70 mph. Trees were damaged along several roads.
It was the first recorded tornado in Cape May Point since reliable records began in 1950. Three other tornadoes were confirmed in Morris County on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to four for the day. New Jersey typically averages about two tornadoes during an entire year, though the number can vary widely.
Heavy rain also flooded parts of Cape May County. Wildwood received 2.52 inches of rain. PJ Hondros, vice president of ShorelySafe and a Wildwoods resident, called it the area’s worst rain flooding in a long time.
Tuesday’s tornado was the first confirmed in Cape May County since an EF1 struck Woodbine in 2021. Only nine tornadoes have been recorded in the county since 1950. The strongest were F2 tornadoes in 1956 and 1971. Since 1950, the county’s tornadoes have caused only one injury and no deaths.
Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor and the Wildwoods have not recorded a tornado during that period, according to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.
The Cape May Point tornado was only one part of a stormy July. Through July 24, the Storm Prediction Center placed at least part of New Jersey under a severe-weather risk on 12 days. That is half of the month so far.
Three days reached an enhanced risk, which is Level 3 on a five-level scale. Those included July 4, when damaging winds and intense rain struck the state; July 18, when several tornado warnings were issued; and July 21, when four tornadoes touched down.
The National Weather Service issued a combined 18 severe-thunderstorm or tornado watches and warnings in New Jersey from July 1 through July 24. The average for that period is about 14.
Extreme heat is one reason for the active weather. Strong thunderstorms often develop as heat waves begin to break. Temperatures across the state have been at least 2 degrees above average this July. Atlantic City International Airport is on pace for one of its three hottest Julys on record.
An unusual weather pattern several miles above the ground has also added more spin to the atmosphere. This type of pattern is more common during spring or fall. When it combines with intense summer heat and humidity, the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can rise.
There has been one benefit from the repeated storms: Drought conditions have improved. New Jersey remains under a state drought warning, but the share of the state experiencing drought fell by 12 percentage points between the beginning of July and July 23.
📽️FRIDAY’S FORECAST | If you liked Thursday, you’ll love today! Heck, you’ll love the weekend as well. It’s shades of September with crisp mornings. The one hiccup? Rip currents.
🏈 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.
WEDNESDAY FORECAST – 🌪️But first, a review of yesterday’s waterspout/tornado event in Cape May. Hit-or-miss showers and storms will bug the Jersey Shore today, but we have a picture prefect weekend to look forward to! Meteorologist Derek Diehl has the details.
A waterspout is CLEARLY seen near the Cape May – Lewes Ferry harbor in Lower Township, Cape May County around 630PM Tuesday evening (7/21/2026).
At 613PM a waterspout cape from the Delaware Bay and moved ashore near Cape May Point. Emergency Management told me no injuries or significant building damage.
This is one of 3 confirmed rotating storms in NJ today. One tornado was confirmed in Stanhope, Morris County. Meanwhile, the other occurred near Pine Hill, also in Morris County.
A tornado watch is in effect Tuesday evening as a line of rotating storms moved through the state. This is the second tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service in less than a week for the area. The tornado watch on July 18, 2026 did not produce any tornadoes, though.
Video by Amanda Donnelly
⛈️TUESDAY FORECAST – Severe weather and flooding present risks for today, beginning around 5PM! When will the weather revert to sunny conditions? Meteorologist Derek Diehl has the details.
Tired of water in your basement or crawlspace? Trust Finally Dry Waterproofing’s family-owned company to fix it right. We install permanent drainage solutions guaranteed for 2 ownerships with on limit! Get your FREE inspection at finallydrywaterproofing.net
It’s back.
Wildfire smoke in New Jersey. It’s grayed our sky, with hints of orange, too.
In New Jersey, the smoke has been enough to reduce visibility. In fact, I (Joe Martucci) was driving back from the Ventnor Beach Concert at Ski Beach on Parkway North. Right as soon as you got into the Pinelands around exit 52, you noticed a layer of smoke along the tops of the trees. It looked like fog, but it was the Canadian wildfire smoke.
The culprit? Canada, and their wildfires.
I wrote that as it if we should “Blame Canada!” like the South Park show did once. While no one has directly blamed Canada maliciously to me, social media shows a few examples of people doing so (example, example).
The thing is… Canada can’t do much about it unless they spend much more money than they do now. Or, people move to where they haven’t moved before. Here’s why.
As the climate warms, lightning has become more frequent. 93% of acres burned due to wildfires in Canada were caused from lightning, in 2023, according to research from the Northern Forestry Center.
In the United States, that number falls to 60%.
| Country | Lightning-caused | Human-caused |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | About 83% | About 17% |
| United States | About 60% | About 40% |
You can’t arrest lightning. You can’t charge it with arson. Lightning has been around long before humans and will be long after humans, too.
About 50% of all acreage burned from Canadian wildfires come from Canadian Provinces and Territories with a population density at or less than 2.5 people per square kilometer. That’s 6.5 people per square mile.
Northwest Territories – 21% of acres burned – 0.04 people per square kilmometer.
Saskatchewan – 18% of acres burned – 2.0 people per square kilometer.
Manitoba – 8% of acres burned – 2.5 people per square kilometer.
Yukon Territory – 4.5% of acres burned – 0.1 people per square kilometer.
Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Nunavut also are very sparse, but contribute less than 1% to the total.
Population density data comes from Canada’s 2021 Census.
When a wildfire occurs, there are few, if any, roads to drive to the fire. There also have to be firefighters stationed nearby, ready to go. These wildfires aren’t just occurring in remote areas 100 miles outside of a major city like Toronto. They’re happening 100 miles (and more) outside of towns like Yellowknife or Whitehorse, which have a few tens of thousands of people.
Even if you had firefighters pre-stationed, they need food, they need water. Those towns do not have the resources on their own to supply them. The federal government needs to step in. Which, they do, but it’s still a logistical challenge.
They can and that does overcome the challenges poised by lack of roads. However, air is not as effective as ground.
Canada cannot simply fight every remote wildfire from the air because aircraft alone rarely extinguish large, intense fires. Water and fire retardant drops mainly slow the flames, giving ground crews time to build firebreaks and secure the perimeter.
In remote forests, there may be no roads, safe landing areas, nearby water sources or crews available to finish the job.
Heavy smoke, strong winds, thunderstorms and nighttime conditions can also ground aircraft.
With thousands of fires across an enormous landscape, Canada must prioritize communities, infrastructure and fires that can realistically be controlled.
Plus, similar to the lack of roads, there are a lack of airports in those remote areas, too. Refueling must be closely coordinated.
The vast boreal forests can start large fires at the tops of trees. On the ground, the deep layer of organic soil or peat can bring fire smoldering underground for a long period of time.
The United States has that in parts, like Alaska, next to Canada. However, Western United States Wildfires often have steep terrain and complex winds. That brings faster moving fires that are aggressive locally. However, it’s the massive wildfires in Canada that bring the large smoke plumes, not the localized ones.
Also, smoke spreads the further from the source you are. Take, for example, the Jones Road Fire in April 2026 in Ocean County, NJ
Places like Long Branch and Cape May, which were east of the fire barely had smoke in the air. Meanwhile, they are both experiencing the smoky sky now with wildfires thousands of miles away.
To be fair, wildfire smoke is hazardous to your health. Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, tiny particles made of soot, ash, organic carbon and other burned material. These particles can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Smoke may also contain hazardous gases, including carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde and acrolein, according the Environmental Protection Agency.
At the same time, there’s not a whole lot Canada can realistically do to stop this. When fires erupt in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, firefighters can get there in minutes. Planes can drop fire retardants with ease, refueling at nearby airports. Where the wildfires usually burn in Canada, those options just aren’t possible.
📹FRIDAY’S FORECAST | After a day of powerful storms in Ocean County and plenty of wildfire smoke. We got:
Let’s talk you through it.
🏈 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.