Widespread 80s today, showers and storms tomorrow

This weekend's warm weather continues today with sunshine and a brisk southwest breeze, but showers and storms will soon interrupt the gorgeous weather.

Here are your weather headlines for Monday, May 4, 2015...

Warmest Day of 2015 So Far?

The warming trend continues! There were a few places that reached 80° or better on Sunday, capping a weekend of beautiful weather. As New Jersey goes back to work and school on this Monday morning, temperatures should soar even higher this afternoon. Today could be, in fact, the warmest day of 2015 so far. Here are the numbers we’d have to reach to to accomplish that statistic, from the three major airport weather stations in New Jersey:
Newark: 82° on April 18
Trenton: 80° on April 18
Atlantic City: 77° on April 29

Today’s forecast highs are 83° for EWR, 83° for TTN, and 81° for ACY.

There is little doubt that 80+ degree temperatures will be widespread across most of the state this afternoon. Along the shore, temperatures will likely be held to the 70s (maybe even a few readings in the upper 60s, especially along the Delaware Bay). Accompanying the warmth will be abundant sunshine and a brisk southwest wind at 10 to 20 mph.

The wind, dry conditions, and warmth will also contribute to a Red Flag Warning today for high fire danger... That means there is not only an increased danger of wildfires igniting, but also that any fires will be difficult to extinguish. Please use extreme caution today.

Cold Front: Showers and Thunderstorms

Tuesday will start off good enough - morning temperatures mostly in the 50s, with mostly to partly sunny skies. However, an approaching cold front will increase clouds and fire off some showers and thunderstorms from Tuesday late morning through the afternoon and evening. Overall, rain totals look pretty low and the coverage of the showers and storms looks scattered. But there could certainly be some bands of heavier or steadier rain, along with rumbles and thunder and flashes of lightning. It might be wise to keep an umbrella handy just about all day tomorrow.

Dry and Quiet

By early Wednesday morning, any final showers will taper off and our weather will return to a dry and pleasant pattern. Wednesday will be the coolest day of the week ahead. Even so, high temperatures on Wednesday will remain pleasant and near-normal, around 70°. And a warming trend will ensue for the second half of the week, with thermometers likely rising into the 80s again by next weekend.