The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for portions of New Jersey from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. Thursday. The conditions are ripe for fires to develop and spread quickly due to the dryness. The state imposed Stage 3 fire restrictions in all 21 counties. This mandate restricts open fires in wooded areas unless it’s propane or gas-powered grills.

The drought watch is also still in effect. Rainfall has been below average for months now. Residents and businesses are being asked to voluntarily conserve water. The last drought watch was in 2022, but if the dry conditions continue, the state may have to move to stricter drought warnings.

TONIGHT: Some passing clouds. Breezy and getting chilly. Overnight low of 56. Winds swing from southwest to north, 10-15 mph gusts up to 20 mph by daybreak.

TOMORROW: Breezy with sunshine. Temperatures will be 10-15 degrees cooler. Highs near 68 degrees.

FRIDAY: Mainly sunny and seasonable. High of 62.

SATURDAY: Partly Sunny. Another weather system approaches from the Great Lakes. The rain dries up but there will be passing clouds and a reinforced shot of colder air after it passes for Saturday night and Sunday.

SUNDAY: Sunny with highs in the upper-50s.