Wind and dry weather led to a cautionary warning in New Jersey; high fire risk throughout the region | NEXT weather alert

This is a perfect weekend for any outdoor activity as long as it doesn't involve an open fire. There is a Red Flag Warning for portions of South Jersey today and we have issued a NEXT Weather Warning as there is an increased fire danger across the region.

The Red Flag Warning is in effect in the following counties in our region: Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic.

Low humidity of 20 to 30% combined with dry brush and gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph can fuel any fire that develops and cause it to spread quickly.

Skies will be sunny today and winds will pick up from the northwest behind a weak front that moved across the area today. Tonight you'll need a jacket for a date or other nighttime plans because once the wind dies down, temperatures quickly drop to over 30°C under clear skies and under 40°C at sunrise.

Sunday will be chilly in the upper 50s. Even colder air is on the way on Sunday evening, which led to the first frost warning in large parts of the region on Monday morning. The exception is the I-95 area in and around Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Outside the city, temperatures can drop below freezing. Therefore, cover all sensitive plants.

The big question next week could be about the Halloween forecast. This may be the first year I can remember that jackets don't have to be worn over little ones' costumes. It will feel more like summer than the last day of October.

Temperatures will rebound to the mid 60s on Monday and highs on Thursday (Halloween) will be in the low 80s, aiming for a record high of 82 set in 1946. The NEXT Weather Team forecast is 8°C for Thursday.

Back to our lack of rain: Today's cold front is the third dry front in recent weeks. Moderate to severe drought is currently in effect across much of the area and will likely increase to extreme drought for parts of the area next week when the next update arrives.

The lack of rain also leads us to target a 150-year drought series of 29 days for Philadelphia, established as early as the fall of 1874. We will tie this record tomorrow and set a new 30-day record on Monday. This new record will then be broken every day next week with no rain in sight. The only hope is another weak cold front late Thursday evening and Friday morning, but like the other fronts, this one will lack moisture.

November starts off unusually warm on Friday with highs in the 70s.

Here is your 7 day forecast:

Saturday: NEXT weather alert due to fire risk. High 68

Sunday: Cooler. High 59, low 41.

Monday: Cool, sunny. High 54, low 35.

Tuesday: Milder. High 70, low 43.

Wednesday: Warm! High 76, low 53.

Thursday: Nice and mild for Halloween. High 82, low 59.

Friday: Stay dry. High 74, low 63

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