A Breezy, Blustery Start to Your Weekend
Not the most glamorous Saturday we’ve ever seen, but hear me out. A cold front pushed through overnight and left behind a few lingering clouds this morning. The real story? A piece of energy diving southward from the northeast is tightening up the pressure gradient, and that means wind. We’re looking at gusts of 20 to 30 mph through the first half of the day before things settle down considerably this afternoon. Hang tight.
Dew points are sitting in the lower 40s, which is the kind of air that feels crisp and a little biting when the wind is up. Real-feel temps this morning are going to run a solid 5 to 10 degrees colder than whatever the thermometer says. Layer up for the morning commute or any early errands. By mid to late afternoon, the wind backs off and it starts to feel more like late spring again.
Mainland (Vineland, Hammonton, Mays Landing, Millville)
- High: Low 70s°F (feels more like the upper 60s this morning with wind)
- Clouds linger through mid-morning, then a gradual clearing by afternoon as skies go partly to mostly sunny
- NE winds 15 to 25 mph, gusting near 30 mph at times early. Wind diminishes considerably by 3 to 4 PM
- Humidity is low and comfortable once the wind calms. Actually a pretty nice afternoon once you get past the morning
Shore (Cape May to LBI, Atlantic City, Ocean City)
- High: Upper 60s°F at the immediate beach, around 70°F just a few miles inland
- That NE wind is funneling right off the water all morning and into midday. Not exactly a “beach day” kind of breeze
- Water temps are still on the cold side. Combined with the wind, beach conditions today are less than ideal
- Honestly, today is a great day for a boardwalk walk, a bike ride, or anything that isn’t laying flat on the sand. Save the beach chair for Sunday
Tonight: Bundle Up, Seriously
Once the sun goes down, temperatures are going to fall fast. Dew points in the lower 40s mean your air temperature can actually drop all the way down to the dew point if skies clear and winds go calm overnight. I would not be one bit surprised to see readings in the upper 30s to around 40 degrees by Sunday morning across portions of the mainland. That’s not a typo. Check on any sensitive plants before you head to bed.
Sunday: Now That’s More Like It
Sunday does a complete 180. The flow switches to the southwest, sunshine takes over, and highs climb into the middle 70s. Wind is much lighter and way more pleasant. If you want a beach day this weekend, Sunday is your day. No contest. Put it on the calendar and enjoy it.
Looking Ahead
Per the Weather Prediction Center and Climate Prediction Center, here’s how the next stretch is shaping up:
| Day | Outlook | Highs |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 31 | Mostly sunny, SW breeze, pleasant | Mid 70s |
| Mon, June 1 | Mostly sunny early, PM storm chance possible | Near 80 |
| Tue, June 2 | Below normal pattern takes hold | Upper 60s to low 70s |
| Wed-Thu, June 3-4 | Continued below normal, variably cloudy | Upper 60s to low 70s |
The CPC’s 6 to 10 day outlook is leaning toward below-normal temperatures and near-normal to slightly above-normal precipitation for our region. In plain English: most of next week stays cool for early June, and we’ll be watching for a few rounds of showers and storms in the mix.
Bottom line: Sunday is the gem of the weekend. Monday looks good until the afternoon when storm chances bubble up. After that, cooler-than-normal air settles in for most of next week, so enjoy the warmth while it lasts.
Today’s Game Plan
- Morning/Midday: Jacket and layers are a must. Wind is the main nuisance, gusting 20 to 30 mph. Hold onto your hat, literally.
- Afternoon/Evening: Wind backs down, partly sunny skies fill in, and it actually turns into a decent afternoon. Good window for outdoor plans.
- Tonight: Temperatures are going to tank. Cover or bring in any cold-sensitive plants. Upper 30s to around 40 possible by morning across the mainland.
It’s a bit of a rough start to the weekend, but Sunday more than makes up for it. Hang in there.
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