First widespread heat wave of 2016 summer to hit New Jersey this week, with steamy temperatures and high humidity.
Get those air conditioners cranking.
Most of New Jersey is facing its first official heat wave of 2016 this week, with temperatures soaring into the 90s for three straight days, and possibly four.
With high humidity added to the mix, these dog days of summer will feel as hot as 100 degrees, and perhaps as steamy as the low 100s, according to the National Weather Service.
Although the Garden State has had some 90-degree days and lots of 80-degree days during the past few weeks, many of those were dry and comfortable.
"When you start throwing in that humidity, that's when you feel it the most," said Valerie Meola, a meteorologist at the weather service's regional office in Mount Holly.
Newark's 2016 snow 'record' melts away
Pockets of heavy rain that drenched New Jersey late Monday night and early Tuesday morning have moved out to sea, but humidity levels will be rising Tuesday night and are expected to remain high through the rest of this week.
At the same time, temperatures will be rising into the low 90s on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday across most of the state, with slightly lower temperatures along the Shore and in northwestern counties.
The heat index -- what the temperature will feel like when combined with the humidity - is expected to rise as high as the century mark and even above that.
"On Thursday, it'll feel like it's in the upper 90s to about 100 in most parts of the state," Meola said. On Friday, most areas will get heat that feels as hot as the low 100s.
Some relief can be found along the coast, where it will feel like the lower 90s on Thursday and low to mid-90s on Friday, Meola said.
As is typical with this type of July weather pattern, there's a chance of isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, as well as Saturday, before temperatures move back down to the upper 80s inland and lower 80s along the Shore on Sunday and Monday.
Heat advisory for several counties
In advance of the heat wave, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties, as well as northwestern Burlington County, effective from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In addition, an excessive heat watch has been posted for the same regions of New Jersey from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon.
"Dangerous heat is expected, primarily in the late morning through the late afternoon hours," the heat watch alert reads.
During the heat wave this week, the weather service advises people to take common-sense precautions against heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses.
"The best advice is to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and in an air-conditioned place," the weather service says. "If you work or spend time outside, take extra precautions, such as frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned locations. Also wear clothing that is light weight and loose fitting. If possible, reschedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening, when cooler temperatures prevail."
Additional heat safety tips can be found on this page of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
Hot days in May and June
Despite some 90-degree days during Memorial Day weekend in late May, so far this year there have been no official heat waves in most parts of northern and southern New Jersey, according to climate data from the National Weather Service and the New Jersey Weather and Climate Network at Rutgers University.
In Central New Jersey, Trenton and Hillsborough both had a three-day heat wave from June 19 to June 21, with temperatures ranging from 90 to 93 each day.
Atlantic City had four 90-degree days in June, but no three-day stretch of intense heat, the data shows. Newark had only three 90-degree days in June, but not a string of three in a row.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.