Extreme heat wave causes widespread power outages across New Jersey
NEW YORK, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 9:10 a.m. (local time) — Over 10,000 residents in New Jersey were left without electricity on Monday, as scorching temperatures surged well into the triple digits, marking the first major heat wave of the summer. The power grid buckled under the pressure of record-breaking heat, affecting neighborhoods from Essex County to Atlantic County.
By 6:45 p.m. Monday, PSE&G had confirmed 3,849 outages across Essex, Union, and Passaic counties, while Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) was handling 5,730 disruptions in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties. Earlier in the day, JCP&L had reported over 7,000 affected customers as heat indexes soared past the 100-degree Fahrenheit (37.8°C) threshold.
At the height of the crisis, by 7 p.m., PSE&G disclosed that a total of 26,377 customers had been impacted by outages. Meanwhile, Atlantic City Electric noted 35 minor disruptions, as updated figures late Friday night showed a reduction in active outages to 2,202 for JCP&L, 929 for PSE&G, and 35 for Atlantic City Electric.
The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for nearly the entire state, with conditions pushing beyond historical limits. At Newark Liberty International Airport, the temperature escalated rapidly — 98°F (36.6°C) by 1:15 p.m., 100°F (37.7°C) an hour later, and peaking at 101°F (38.3°C) by 3 p.m., setting a new all-time record high for June 23.
Elsewhere, the Rutgers NJ Weather Network confirmed Hammonton in Atlantic County also registered 101°F, matching temperatures seen in Oswego Lake, Hackettstown in Warren County, and Vineland in Cumberland County by 3:45 p.m.. A total of at least eight municipalities across the state saw highs of 100°F (37.7°C) or more.
In Atlantic City, the heat surged to 98°F (36.6°C), tying its daily record for June 23, first recorded in 1988 and again in 2024.
Tuesday’s forecast promises no reprieve, with the National Weather Service predicting temperatures to exceed 100°F (37.7°C) in several areas. While Wednesday may offer marginal relief, the heat index will likely remain in the upper 90s°F (32.2–37.2°C) until Thursday, when slightly cooler air nudges highs into the 80s°F (26.6–31.1°C).
The combination of oppressive heat and power interruptions has created hazardous conditions for vulnerable communities, while beaches across the Jersey Shore filled with residents seeking natural cooling from the Atlantic Ocean.
