Your July Fourth plans could melt in this NJ heat wave — and the worst is still ahead

The heat wave expected to bring the hottest temperatures in four years in New Jersey is impacting events scheduled for the Independence Day holiday weekend.

An extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until Saturday at 8 p.m. as temperatures soar into the 90s and 100s one more day.  Combined with high humidity, the heat index will again reach 105-115

The heat and humidity is intense which could lead to more storng storms on Saturday,  New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said. The difference is the timing.

"Compared to Friday's storms, the timing of these storms is slightly later (after about 8pm). And the geography of the highest severe wind risk is farther south. The Storm Prediction Center puts Philadelphia and Washington DC in the bullseye of highest risk," Zarrow said.

Zarrow expects a big cooldown and big wetdown early next week, as heavy rain and thick clouds potentially keep highs in the 70s for Monday and beyond.

ParkStage at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds in Freehold

Postponed events that had been scheduled for the holiday weekend include:

Fireworks displays for the Independence Day weekend

Burlington County:

• Bordentown Township: Fireworks postponed from Friday, July 4 to Tuesday, August 4

Cape May County:

• Wildwood: Patriotic drone show on Sunday, July 5 is canceled

Camden County:

• Haddon: Independence Day parade is cancelled but fireworks will still launch as scheduled
• Haddonfield Borough: Afternoon Fourth of July activites are cancelled due to heat
• Stratford: The annual Fourth of July parade will go on as scheduled. However, games, inflatables, and other activities planned for afterwards have been canceled due to the heat.

Essex County:

• Belleville:  Fireworks display is cancelled due to thunderstorms Friday night.

Mercer County:

• Lawrence Township: Music in the Park canceled for Thursday, July 2
• Trenton: America 250 Parade & Fesitval postponed due to heat. A new date is to be determined

Monmouth County:

• Freehold Township: Friday’s ‘250 // The Concert' featuring Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at ParkStage at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds in Freehold has been postponed until Friday, July 17 at 5 p.m.
• Howell Township: The Independence Day celebration scheduled for Thursday, July 2 has been postponed to a date to be announced.
• Oceanport: Monmouth Park has canceled racing again on Saturday due to the heat
• Wall Township: Firecracker 5K canceled due to two large fallen trees on the course.

Morris County: 

• Denville: The fireworks and concert scheduled for Friday, July 3 has been postponed to Saturday, July 25. The Denville Days events at Gardner Field will still take place on Saturday and Sunday.

Ocean County: 

• Lakehurst: Fireworks postponed to a date to be determined

Somerset County: 

• Bridgewater: The county display scheduled for Friday, July 3 at North Branch Park has been postponed to Friday, July 17.
• Franklin Township:  Postponing their fireworks display to July 10.

Union County:

• Summit: All July 4 festivities at Memorial Field have been canceled due to power outages and the potential for more thunderstorms. The fireworks display will be rescheuled for a date to be announced.

Do you know of an event canceled or postponed by the heat wave? Let  us know with an email to  dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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