NJ Weather Outlook: Rain and Thunderstorms On Way, Then Cooler Temperatures

NJ Weather Outlook: Rain and Thunderstorms On Way, Then Cooler Temperatures

Thanks to a cold front, temperatures throughout the state will dip into the 50s on Friday and linger in the 40s on Saturday after reaching the 70s on Thursday afternoon, according to forecasters.

Before a significant cooling sets in for the weekend, a powerful cold front will pass over the state late Thursday night and early Friday morning, bringing gusty winds and showers with helpful rainfall.

According to the National Weather Service, showers will start to move into northern New Jersey late tonight and arrive before midnight in regions north and close to Interstate 78.

Rain won't fall on most of central and southern New Jersey until after midnight, and showers will keep moving south during the night.

While major thunderstorms are not anticipated, there may be some rumbles of thunder and light downpours during the night.

Forecasters predicted rainfall totals of 0.25 to 0.50 inches throughout the state, with localized totals of up to 1 inch likely.

Southern New Jersey will get the most prolonged rain, with intermittent showers lasting most of Friday. Under mostly cloudy skies, areas northwest and close to Interstate 95 should dry out by noon on Friday.

The majority of New Jersey has been unusually dry over the past few months, and drought conditions are still present, so the rain is necessary.

On Friday, winds will move to the north behind the front, staying breezy with gusts of 20 to 30 mph that will progressively lessen throughout the afternoon.

In contrast to Thursday's pleasant weather, Friday's temperatures will dip to about 50 degrees behind the front and remain constant throughout the day.

According to the weather service, Friday night will bring the coldest weather of the week, with temperatures dropping into the mid-20s to low 30s by Saturday morning.

High pressure will cause Saturday to be unusually dry and cold, with highs only reaching the low to mid-40s, or roughly 10 degrees below typical for late March.

As milder air from the southwest approaches and high pressure moves offshore on Sunday, temperatures will start to moderate and return to seasonal averages.

With above-average temperatures predicted for the early and middle parts of next week, a mild and erratic pattern is anticipated to take hold starting Monday night. Check the latest forecast.

Beginning late Monday and continuing intermittently through the middle of next week, multiple frontal systems will be accompanied by multiple chances for rain.