Late summer burst of heat coming Thursday

There's a reason Labor Day marks what is called the "unofficial" end of summer. Vacations end, and students (and teachers) go back to school. But as we will see Thursday and Friday, the actual season is going to make the most of its 15 remaining days.

The warmup has already begun as day breaks on Wednesday, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees across the majority of New Jersey. Those marks could bump up all the way to 90 in some spots later in the day, with sunny to partly cloudy skies, and a shower possible along and east of the Garden State Parkway.

Overnight, lows will ramp down to the mid-60s over most of the state, getting into the lower 70s in some urban areas. That sets us up for what is likely the last heat wave of 2016, with daytime temperatures in the low 90s both Thursday and Friday under sunny skies. But it's the heat index that will remind you summer is still going strong; the "feels like" temperature should approach 100 both of those days.

Always remember to take the proper precautions in any kind of oppressive heat. In fact, Trenton schools have already done so, announcing they will dismiss classes in the early afternoon every day for the rest of the week.

Warm temperatures stick around at least through Saturday, with some thunderstorms expected to develop by that afternoon.

And as if the heat wasn't enough to worry you, Hermine is still a threat for some boaters. A small craft advisory is in effect off the Jersey coast until 12 noon Wednesday, with expected wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Meteorologist Dan Zarrow is on vacation and returns Monday, September 12. Patrick Lavery produces “New Jersey’s First News” and is New Jersey 101.5’s morning drive breaking news reporter.

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