Today was wonderful and warm. Most of the state enjoyed pristine-looking skies. Hazy where smoke from the Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County continues to push smoke into the atmosphere.

Overall, though, only a small percentage of coastal areas had to deal with poor air quality. It certainly wasn't the eerie-looking skyscape from two years ago.

Relief is on the way. Clouds will build through the day tomorrow. Eventually (probably after midnight), rain begins to fall. Locally, more robust rains will fall periodically through the overnight, and I can't rule out a rumble of thunder early mid-day Saturday as the front finally moves through. All good news for our New Jersey soils and drought situation.

As the front passes, the winds change direction and usher in cooler weather, but sunny weather once again for the end of the weekend.