What Happened with the Weather in New Jersey and Philadelphia?

Tornado Warning Has Ended

A tornado warning (which means a tornado was spotted or shown on radar and you should take cover) for parts of Burlington and Ocean counties in New Jersey stopped being in effect at 8:30 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Still Going

According to the National Weather Service (a government group that watches the weather), a severe thunderstorm will stay in effect for Burlington and Ocean counties until 9:30 p.m.

• CBS News Philadelphia NEXT Weather Chief Meteorologist Bill Kelly said the storm was moving from east to west through the southern part of Ocean County.
• Wind gusts (sudden strong bursts of wind) were reported at 77 and 84 mph in Surf City.

Bad Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke

At the same time as the storms, other parts of the Philadelphia region are having poor air quality because of wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota moving through the Delaware Valley (the area around the Delaware River).

• The thick wildfire smoke is making the skies look hazy (like a fuzzy fog).
• A Code Red Air Quality Alert is in effect for the region Thursday night. This means the air is unhealthy to breathe.

More Storms Expected on Saturday

The NEXT Weather team has issued an alert for Saturday because the Delaware Valley could see some storms that might become strong or severe, with:

• Damaging wind gusts
• Torrential rain (very heavy rain)
• Frequent lightning

Earlier This Week: Microbursts in Philadelphia

Earlier this week, parts of Philadelphia were hit by multiple microbursts (a sudden, strong downward burst of wind from a storm that can cause damage) as severe storms passed through.

Important Point: A tornado warning expired at 8:30 p.m., but a severe thunderstorm continued until 9:30 p.m. Also, unhealthy smoke-filled air is a problem, and more strong storms may come Saturday.

Summary

To sum up: A tornado warning for parts of New Jersey ended at 8:30 p.m., but heavy storms lasted longer. Strong winds hit Surf City, and smoke from distant wildfires made the air unhealthy in Philadelphia. More rough storms are possible Saturday, and microbursts already caused trouble earlier this week.

FAQ

What is a tornado warning?
It means a tornado was seen or detected on radar, and people in the area should protect themselves right away.

Why is the air quality bad?
Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota drifted into the area, making the air hazy and unhealthy.

What is a microburst?
It is a quick, powerful blast of wind from a storm that pushes down and can damage things on the ground.

Should I worry about Saturday’s weather?
The weather team says storms could turn strong or severe, so it is good to stay updated and be ready.