Finally no weather alarm bells as NJ flips from extreme to pleasant weather

The Bottom Line

One more unsettled day. And at least, for the first time this month, there are no alarm bells to ring Tuesday. We are seeing some patchy fog, mist, and drizzle around New Jersey to start the day. And a shower or sprinkle will be possible at any time through about sunset. Skies will stay cloudy, and temperatures will stay on the cool side of normal, mainly in the 70s. By Wednesday, sunshine returns, and we finally catch some nice summer weather as high temperatures push into the 80s. Thursday and Friday will be seasonably warm too, but each day will carry a thunderstorm chance. The early weekend outlook is mixed, showing sunshine for Saturday, but rain potentially clipping part of the state for Sunday.

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Weather Hazards

For the first time in the month of July so far, there are no major weather alarm bells to ring. Thank goodness.

Monday's flood watches were allowed to expire on time, after a dramatic 4 to 7+ inches of rain fell. There is no risk of heavy rain or severe weather in Tuesday’s forecast.

Thunderstorms return to the forecast Thursday and Friday. At this point, no specific organized severe weather threat is expected, although any summer thunderstorm is worth watching for brief downpours, dangerous lightning, and gusty winds.

Climatological Context

July 7 is the 188th day of 2026.

Normal high temperatures range from 86 to 87 degrees, while normal low temperatures range from 66 to 69 degrees.

July is, on average, New Jersey’s hottest and wettest month of the year.

Tuesday

It's been a while since New Jersey has had any semblance of a "nice" weather day. Well, just wait one more day. Just one more unsettled weather day, and then the forecast will really calm down and brighten up.

Tuesday begins with patchy fog, mist, and drizzle around the Garden State. Visibility is down a bit in spots, while temperatures are mainly in the 60s.

A shower or sprinkle will be possible at any time Tuesday, realistically through sunset. Any rainfall this time around will be light and widely scattered — there is no risk of flooding or severe thunderstorms this time around. Damp and dreary, not dangerous.

Temperatures will not budge much, with highs mainly touching the 70s. (Parts of North Jersey may get stuck in the 60s, while South Jersey may creep into the 80s with peeks of sun.) It feels a little odd to call that “cool” in July, since it is not exactly "bundle up jacket weather". But most of New Jersey is running 10+ degrees below normal for early July. Add in the clouds and occasional dampness, and the day will feel raw, blah, and ... cool.

As Tuesday night falls, skies will slowly start to clear. It will be quiet and comfortable overnight, with low temperatures in the mid 60s or so.

Wednesday

I am declaring Wednesday as the nicest day of the week.

As high pressure builds in, partial sunshine returns. Temperatures warm right back up. And it will be a completely dry weather day. Highs will reach the lower 80s, with moderate humidity. Yes!

Thursday

Thursday reads like a typical summer day. Decent, but not perfect.

Baseline forecast: Partly sunny skies, with highs in the seasonable mid 80s. So far so good.

There is one hiccup: A few afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible. That is part of life in New Jersey in July, our hottest and wettest month of the year, on average. At this point, Thursday does not look like a washout or a severe weather blockbuster day. Just a standard summertime thunderstorm chance.

Friday & Beyond

Friday turns a little hotter and noticeably more humid, with highs in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees. Skies will become mostly cloudy. And again, a shower or thunderstorm is possible.

Looking toward the weekend, the early outlook is mixed. Saturday looks like the brighter and better day for now, with some sunshine and typical summer warmth in the 80s. Sunday is more questionable, as solid rain could clip at least southwestern New Jersey.

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates.