NJ Weather: More Storms, Hail, 60-MPH Winds, Heat Expected In NJ

NEW JERSEY – More severe weather is expected to hit New Jersey on Wednesday as the region continues to battle a heatwave.

Gov. Phil Murphy said the current school guidelines say school districts can drop masking rules in the middle of this extreme heat, and a number of districts have followed suit. He may address that during a 1 p.m. news conference on Wednesday. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Coronavirus, Reopening Update

Thunderstorms are expected to hit in the afternoon, particularly after 4 p.m. The storms could pack 60-mph winds and hail.

Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind damage to trees and power lines, the National Weather Service says.

Temperatures were expected to continue to exceed 90 degrees throughout the state on Wednesday but the humidity could cause the heat index to peak past 100 degrees, particularly before the storms hit again in the afternoon.

Murphy, acknowledging that the summer weather was making it difficult to maintain COVID protections, reiterated the state's exceptions to its masking rules.

"School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions, and we hope they will make the right calls for their educational communities," Murphy said.

Some of the school districts that have dropped mask requirements are Brick, Point Pleasant Boro, East Brunswick, Woodbridge and Little Egg Harbor Township.

Monday's temperatures were generally similar to top off the three-day heat wave, according to AccuWeather. A heat wave is considered three days or more in a row with high temperatures of 90 degrees or greater for the Northeast region, according to AccuWeather.

High pressure over the western Atlantic will lead to frequent showers and thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather. Slow-moving thunderstorms developed on Monday and brought flooding downpours to the Gulf Coast and Southeast; the opportunity for these slow-moving storms will shift east for Tuesday, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 7 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Friday night: A chance of showers, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.