Rain showers continue through the area today before it breaks to an overcast this early afternoon. Fog and mist are expected at the coast throughout much of the day. Temperatures jump to the mid-70s with a light south-southeast wind. There will likely be a glimpse of sun by 5:30 p.m. for Ocean and Monmouth counties with small breaks in the clouds for Middlesex, Union, Somerset, Mercer, and Hunterdon counties by 6:00 p.m. It is short-lived as the clouds return allowing for more overnight rain.

Tomorrow will be cloudy and damp to start the day. It improves by noon with a mix of sun and clouds - leaning more partly sunny. The high temperatures push to 88 degrees. A few thundershowers pop-up for the afternoon due to the lingering instability to the air. Overnight lows stay warm, near 70 degrees.

Thursday will be sunny and hot at first with late thunderstorms that are expected to be severe. Rotating thunderstorms can produce a tornado if not damaging wind gusts. Storms can be abrasive on Thursday after 3 p.m. They end by sunset.

Friday is fine with sunshine, but hot weather settles in as a pattern change begins to move in for the weekend and next week. Hot temperatures are on the way for next week as we expect our first heat wave of the season.

The highs next Tuesday can reach the lower 100s.