The National Weather Service is urging New Jersey residents to use extra caution this weekend because gusty winds and dry brush could boost the risk of wildfires.
In a special weather statement issued Friday afternoon, the agency said most counties in Central Jersey and all in South Jersey will have an elevated threat of brush fires or wildfires Saturday afternoon.
The combination of dry brush, low humidity and winds that are expected to gust up to 30 to 35 mph “could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control,” the weather service’s Mount Holly forecast office said.
The elevated wildfire risk will also include eastern Pennsylvania.
“Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged,” the weather service noted. “Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts.”
Areas with an elevated fire risk on Saturday include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem and Somerset counties.
New Jersey had an active wildfire season last year, especially in the fall, when serious drought conditions plagued most of the state.
Numerous wildfires broke out, with the worst one burning more than 3,500 acres of land in West Milford along the state’s border with New York.
Cold air to return
Our recent stretch of warm weather will come to an end late Saturday, when a cold front moves across New Jersey and pushes temperatures down.
Forecasters say Saturday night will be cold, with temperatures dropping into the teens in northern New Jersey and into the low 20s in southern and eastern counties.
“Since the winds will be a bit gusty during the overnight, wind chills will feel winter-like with mostly single digits for most spots,” the weather service said.
Highs on Sunday will be stuck in the low 30s in northern New Jersey and mid-30s in central and southern New Jersey.
Monday is expected to turn a little milder, with highs climbing into the 30s to low 40s.
Current weather radar
Stories by Len Melisurgo
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.