New Jersey Temperatures and Wildfire Risks Soar
Forecasters are concerned that due to the combination of dryness, wind, and high temps, there is a risk of wildfires in the Garden State. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for all 21 counties. It reports that there is a “combination of low relative humidity, gusty westerly winds, and dry fine fuels.” Forecasters predict it will lead to an elevated risk for fire spread this Tuesday afternoon (April 11).
The humidity will be very low at about 20% to 25% and winds of 10 to 15 mph could gust to 20 to 25 mph, forecasters say.
New Jersey Enters Peak Wildfire Season
“Any dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter that ignites will have the potential to spread fire quickly,” the weather service said in a special weather statement Tuesday morning.
Urgent alerts were issued in New York City. Northern New Jersey counties such as Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties issued a special weather statement about dry and windy conditions that could fires easier to spread.
However, Tuesday night nighttime temps will be in the low to mid-70s. The Jersey Shore temps will average in the 60s. Overnight lows will be at the lowest in the 50s.
“Nighttime temps will stay mild in the upper 50s. By Saturday, there will be cloudy, cooler conditions return with highs only expected to reach the low 60s” per NJ.com.
Records Could Be Broken
Based on the latest forecasts, some records could be matched or broken on Thursday, NJ.com reports. The records that could be broken are as follows:
Newark: Record high for April 13 is 86 degrees, set in 1977.
Trenton: Record high for April 13 is 85 degrees, set in 1977.
Atlantic City: Record high for April 13 is 83 degrees, set in 2018.
New York City: Record high for April 13 is 88 degrees, set in 1977.
Philadelphia: Record high for April 13 is 89 degrees, set in 1977.
New Jersey Enters Peak Wildfire Season
