Second Heat Wave of July Peaks Today, With Wildfire Smoke Adding to the Danger
An Extreme Heat Warning covers Middlesex and Union counties today as Canadian wildfire smoke adds a second hazard. Cooling centers open in Rahway, Linden, and New Brunswick.
(Credit: Pramila Murugan)
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Chris Howell | July 15, 2026
Central Jersey is in the middle of its second heat wave of July, and today is expected to be the worst of it. An Extreme Heat Warning covers Middlesex and Union counties from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Smoke drifting down from Canadian wildfires is adding a second hazard on top of the heat.
Tuesday was already brutal. Newark Liberty International Airport recorded an actual high of 104 degrees, with the overnight low dropping to 82. That is hotter, in raw degrees, than today’s forecast. But today carries the more serious warning because of the humidity. The heat index, which measures how the air feels, is expected to reach as high as 107 degrees.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office said a Heat Advisory and Extreme Heat Warning would remain in effect statewide from Wednesday through Friday. The governor urged residents to check on neighbors, keep pets indoors, and stay hydrated.
Thursday eases slightly, with highs near 96. Friday comes closer to normal, with a high near 92. A real cooldown arrives over the weekend, with highs expected to drop into the low 80s Saturday and Sunday.
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This is the fourth official heat wave New Jersey has recorded in 2026. The first came in May, when Newark tied its record high for the month, and a second stretch followed in mid-June. The third was the deadly run at the end of June into the July 4th holiday, which state health officials linked to dozens of suspected deaths.
Compounding the dangers, smoke from the Canadian wildfires began arriving Tuesday and is expected to thicken today, with the worst of it likely between 5 and 9 p.m. Forecasters say smoke that settles near the ground can irritate eyes and lungs.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert, and Union County is under a separate Air Quality Action Day. People with asthma or heart conditions, older adults, and children are advised to limit time outdoors.
Local officials sounded the alarm starting Tuesday. New Brunswick’s police department issued a Code Red advisory and opened its cooling center at 6 Kirkpatrick St. from noon to 8 p.m. No food or drink was permitted inside, and anyone needing shelter or other social services was directed to call 211.
Linden’s police department reminded residents that the city’s cooling centers are open to everyone, especially seniors, families with young children, and anyone without reliable air conditioning. The department also warned that a parked car can turn deadly for a child or pet within minutes, even with the windows cracked.
Rahway’s Office of Emergency Management is keeping the Rahway Recreation Center open as a cooling station from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday.
Anyone showing signs of heat-related illness should call 911. Residents who need help finding a cooling center can call 211 or check their local municipal alerts.
Editor’s note: The Central Jerseyan is free to read and supported by advertising. If you value this kind of local reporting and want to help sustain it, you can become a citizen supporter on Patreon. Your contribution helps fund continued coverage of local government, schools, and community issues.