Tornado warning expires in New Jersey, more stormy weather returns this weekend

A tornado warning was issued in parts of New Jersey on Thursday evening.

The warning covered south central Ocean County and southeastern Burlington County. It was issued just after 8 p.m. and lasted until 8:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday will both be First Alert Weather Days. Poor air quality and lingering haze remain a concern Friday, while more stormy weather is expected to return to the Tri-State Area on Saturday.

Haze lingers Friday

Once again Thursday, the Tri-State Area was shrouded in a thick layer of smoke and haze emanating from wildfires burning in the Canadian Province of Ontario.

The result has been very poor air quality, low visibilities and the scent of campfire. While this smoke/haze event is not expected to be as intense as the one in June 2023 when the Air Quality Index in NYC reached a record high of 484, the AQI did rise to a peak of 278 on Thursday night.

Forecast models are now indicating that the smoke and haze will stick around on Friday.

The worst of the AQI levels look to be from the city and points south, while our far northern communities will see better conditions than Thursday. A brief drop in AQI levels is likely around 2 p.m. for the city, before higher levels return by the evening hours.    

An Air Quality Alert has been extended until Friday night at midnight for most of New Jersey.

Storm threat Saturday

Smoke/haze levels may then become elevated again on Saturday.

High humidity and the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms will also return on Saturday. There is a chance of damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.

Later on Saturday is when AQI levels should improve for everyone.