Heat — Northwestern Burlington, New Jersey

2002-08-11 to 2002-08-20 · Northwestern Burlington, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

The longest run of days with high temperatures of 90 or greater for the summer occurred across central and southern New Jersey from the 11th through the 20th. This was the longest heat wave for the state since the twelve day heat wave during the summer of 1999. It also solidified August and the summer of 2002 as one of the ten hottest summers on record. Along with the heat came the humidity. The hottest weather occurred for most places on the 13th and 14th. Offshore winds made the 17th the warmest day along the immediate shore. A couple of weak cold fronts dissipated as they tried to cross the state during this heat wave. The only effect was to keep temperatures and humidity levels from getting any higher inland from the 15th through the 20th. A stronger cold front moved through the state on the 20th and ended the run of hot weather. Both Public Service Electric and Gas and the PJM Interconnection issued advisories on urging customers to conserve electricity. About 3,000 persons lost power because of th heat in Monmouth County on the 13th. One heat related death occurred in Burlington County. A 77-year-old man was found dead in Mansfield Township on the 17th. His bedroom temperature was 104 degrees. In Sussex County, two teenagers became ill (heat exhaustion) after playing sports during the afternoon of the 13th. Highest reported temperatures included 101 degrees in Vernon (Sussex County), 99 degrees in Mount Holly (Burlington County), Somerville (Somerset County), 98 degrees in Trenton (Mercer County), 97 degrees at the Atlantic City International Airport, Millville (Cumberland County) and Belmar (Monmouth County)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5318282. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.