Thunderstorms are expected later tonight. The wonderfully warm afternoon New Jersey enjoyed will help fuel some gusty storms overnight.

It was a record-breaking day, with afternoon highs soaring into the lower 80s. Atlantic City’s high of 84 degrees broke the old record of 80 set in 1978. Honorable mentions go to Newark, which came close at 81 degrees (record 82 in 1978), and Trenton, which peaked at 79 degrees (record 81 in 1986).

The beautiful spring air will go on a short hiatus after storms pass through tonight. Cooler air — more in line with late February — re-enters the chat on Thursday.

Winds with these thunderstorms may approach 40 to 60 mph in some of the more potent cells. Wind-driven downpours will be common. The line of consistent nasty weather will exit the region during the pre-dawn hours on Thursday. The weather system responsible for the storminess sinks just south of the area, allowing temperatures to briefly crash tonight into Thursday and clouds to linger for much of the day. Winds off the ocean will provide a raw feel that may come as a shock after several days of temperatures in the 70s.

The system will eventually rebound back across the state as a warm front, allowing the chill to retreat into New England and warmer Carolina air to move back up the East Coast. Warm weather will linger into the weekend, with both Saturday and Sunday featuring highs in the 70s.

The Easter Sunday forecast could turn rainy. Timing remains uncertain, but a line of showers and storms may approach from the west late in the morning, potentially interfering with planned egg hunts.

— Stay tuned