Forecast: Backdoor cold front will sweep away warmth

For the amount of talk regarding the impressive nature of the warmth surge over the past few days, it probably is unfair that the backdoor cold front approaching the area late this week has been doing so quietly. After all, it is hard to ignore such a feature which will interrupt a stretch of beautiful weather that our area experienced during the first half of this week. Temperatures in the upper 70’s to middle 80’s were widespread with some locations topping out in the upper 80’s and nearer to 90 (especially Wednesday in Southern New Jersey). The warmth was broken up late Wednesday evening, however, by several rounds of showers and thunderstorms some of which were strong/severe over Northwest NJ.

RAP model showing forecast high temperatures on Thursday. Notice the backdoor cold front settled to the south of our area over Southwest New Jersey and the Northern Mid Atlantic, with the core of the warm air now relegated to areas near Washington D.C and points south.

By Thursday, a backdoor cold front will have slid past the area from the north, leaving our area with east winds off the cool ocean waters. Clouds are expected on Thursday as well, and when coupled with the east winds will produce conditions noticeably cooler than the past several days. Highs in the 50’s to near 60 are generally expected, so the day won’t be a total loss. But it will serve as a reminder that summer warmth isn’t here to stay — yet.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers or drizzle. Highs in the upper 50’s. East winds around 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation 50%

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with showers likely. Lows in the mid 40’s. East winds around 15 to 20 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation 50%.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 50’s. East winds around 20 miles per hour, gusting higher. Chance of precipitation is 100%.