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Monday could be the hottest and most uncomfortable day of this heat wave, with two rounds of strong thunderstorms expected as well.

Here are your weather headlines for Monday, July 25, 2016...

Storms

It's been a wet, stormy start for central and southern New Jersey, as strong to severe thunderstorms passed over the area between I-78 and the Atlantic City Expressway in the early Monday morning hours. Pockets of heavy rain could lead to flooding, winds may gust as high as 60 mph, and the lightning show could be quite impressive. This first round of rain of the day continues until about 8 a.m. Monday as these storms march eastward across the state.

Amidst the heat and humidity of Monday (see below), an approaching cold front is expected to fire off another round of scattered thunderstorms starting around mid-afternoon. Given the amount of energy and moisture in the atmosphere, gusty winds and very heavy rain are almost sure bets from Monday afternoon through Monday evening. Any storms that form will likely arrive quickly. So it's going to be one of those days where it's critical to keep an eye on the sky and the latest conditions before going outside or hitting the road for your evening commute.

Oppressive Heat and Humidity

Following a brutally hot summer weekend, there's more heat and humidity to come for the Garden State. For the week ahead, the worst of it looks to be Monday. But there is light at the end of the tunnel - a chance for widespread rain and the potential arrival of cooler, drier air!

Monday is forecast to become the 5th day in a row of 90+ degree temperatures at Newark Airport, as most of the Garden State continues this heat wave for yet another day. In addition, a warm front rising through New Jersey on Monday morning will bump up humidity to intolerable levels, so it's going to be a much more uncomfortable and sticky, steamy day than Sunday. Be prepared for thermometers to climb to the mid to upper 90s for most of the state, with a heat index potentially up to 108 Monday afternoon.

An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. for Mercer, NW Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. A Heat Advisory has been issued for the rest of the state for Monday afternoon and early evening. This is potentially dangerous heat if you don't take care of yourself - stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks in a cool spot.

The Heat Wave Rolls On

If you're not sick of the 90s yet, you will be soon. The heat rolls on for most of the week.

Despite Monday's cold frontal passage, 90s are expected again on Tuesday. However, humidity levels should be somewhat lower (dew points in the lower 60s, compared to Monday's mid 70s). Skies will become sunny, as Tuesday should turn into a typical hot, dry summer day. Hopefully the Jersey Shore will end up a little bit cooler than inland areas, but beaches will still top out in the mid 80s at least through the rest of the week.

Wednesday will bring more of the same: mostly sunny skies, with highs in the lower to mid 90s.

Humidity ticks upward again on Thursday, making for a hot and humid day. A few extra clouds will be possible on Thursday, and I can't rule out a thunderstorm. (The GFS model shows a blip of precipitation Thursday afternoon.) Highs will be in the lower to mid 90s, with the heat index possibly returning to the triple digits.

And then along comes Friday. Circle it on your calendar! A cold front will spark some potentially persistent rain on Friday. Combine that with clouds and Friday's high temperatures will probably be limited to the 80s! The current forecast for the last weekend of July - admittedly 6 to 7 days away - shows highs also in the 80s.

Now, keep in mind... Uncertainty is high surrounding the timing of Friday's rain and the timing and degree of the ensuing cooler, drier air. But it's coming! And we'll continue looking forward to it as the week (and the heat) rolls on!

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates.

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