Weather improves overnight; sunny and warm Friday ahead to start the holiday weekend

Stormy weather has left New Jersey following powerful storms Thursday morning. There is possible microburst wind damage in Vernon Township. Winds reached up to 59 mph in Upper Freehold and there was a 62 mph thunderstorm in Hunterdon.

OVERNIGHT: The weather is trying to improve for the evening. Skies will be slowly clearing and the temperatures will be fading with a light westerly wind to the upper-50s and low- to mid-60s.

MORE: News 12 New Jersey Weather Center

FRIDAY: A beautiful start to the upcoming holiday weekend. Sunny and warm. Afternoon highs will be reaching for the mid- to possibly upper-80s.

With the weather being this nice I can imagine a lot of folks will be cutting out of work and hitting the roads to get to their weekend destinations. Heading south on the Garden State Parkway could be a nightmare. Pack your patience if you don't leave early enough. Otherwise, you'll be spending the bulk of a beautiful day in your car on the highways sitting in traffic.

WEEKEND: While I do believe there will be showery stretches, the majority of it will be spent under nice skies. When it rains, it looks to happen in the evening or nighttime hours.

MEMORIAL DAY: The more organized rain is expected to arrive on Monday.