NJ Weather: Storms, 60-MPH Wind, Heat As Schools Drop COVID Masks

NEW JERSEY – A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect on Tuesday in New Jersey as the extreme heat continues and voters head to the polls for the June 8th primary election. Gov. Phil Murphy said the current school guidelines say school districts can drop masking rules in the middle of this extreme heat.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect around 4 p.m. as 60-mph winds and hail were hitting Central Jersey on Tuesday.

Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind damage to trees and power lines, the National Weather Service says.

The National Weather Service says there will be scattered thunderstorms, mainly Tuesday afternoon after 4 p.m. and as polls close at 8 p.m. in the evening. Read more: NJ Election Results: Primary Day In New Jersey

Temperatures were expected to continue to exceed 90 degrees throughout the state on Wednesday but the humidity could cause the heat index to peak past 100 degrees, particularly before the storms hit again in the afternoon.

Murphy, acknowledging that the summer weather was making it difficult to maintain COVID protections, reiterated the state's exceptions to its masking rules.

"School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions, and we hope they will make the right calls for their educational communities," Murphy said.

Some of the school districts that have dropped mask requirements are Brick, Point Pleasant Boro, East Brunswick, Woodbridge and Little Egg Harbor Township.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, there is the potential for heavy rainfall which may produce localized flash flooding and hail. Gusty, 60-mph winds and lightning strikes are also threats both on Tuesday and after 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Monday's temperatures were generally similar to top off the three-day heat wave, according to AccuWeather. A heat wave is considered three days or more in a row with high temperatures of 90 degrees or greater for the Northeast region, according to AccuWeather.

High pressure over the western Atlantic will lead to frequent showers and thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather. Slow-moving thunderstorms developed on Monday and brought flooding downpours to the Gulf Coast and Southeast; the opportunity for these slow-moving storms will shift east for Tuesday, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly afternoon. Some of the storms could produce small hail and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.