Smoke to linger today, enhances thunderstorms Saturday
Robust lightning strikes, damaging wind, and flooding rain is expected Saturday 1PM - 1AM.
More Stories
Significant smoke is lingering across New Jersey this morning reducing visibility and air quality to Very Unhealthy levels. This is dangerous air and all persons should avoid breathing in the smoky conditions. There is a brief reprieve expected this late morning with a minor reduction of smoke concentration, but it will return later this afternoon.
Smoke is expected to be pushed northeast starting tonight as an approaching warm front arrives by Saturday. As the smoke moves toward the east, the front pushes moisture toward our area and creates storms for Saturday. Saturday's storms are expected between 1PM and 1AM.
Saturday's storms are expected to be strong and downright nasty. Smoke particles in the air influence thunderstorms to create stronger positive strikes of lightning versus the more common negative strikes of lightning. Positive strikes of lightning are nearly 10x more powerful than negative strikes of lightning, and they can travel longer distances usually from the top of thunderstorm clouds to the ground up to 20 miles away. Smoke in these thunderstorms creates more friction among particles that emits more electrons/charged particles that spark these robust lightning strikes.
Additionally, smoke in thunderstorms creates heavier rain, allowing moisture to grab onto the particles themselves to create bigger raindrops. Downpours will cause flooding on Saturday with up to 3" or more of rainfall expected.
Storms are expected to be strong as a result of the increased intensity where damaging gusts of 60mph or greater are expected with an isolated risk for tornadoes. Not all storms will have a tornado, but the atmospheric conditions suggest their likelihood somewhere in the region.
Smoke leaves for Sunday as the front clears the air. However, a new plume may arrive early next week if the fires continue.
