Weather Report: Record-Breaking Heat, and Lightning Strikes House

One hundred and two: the was a record-breaker, according to the National Weather Service.

Thunderstorms brought some cooling relief to the area last night – and more stormy weather is in store, according to forecasters.

Amid last night's storm, fire crews rushed to a home off of Bay Avenue near Vaughn Avenue that was struck by lightning around 9:45 p.m. The awning over a Briar Avenue home's front steps were struck. The small portion over the front door was blown away by the lightning's impact, causing minor damage to the home.

The mercury climbed to 102 in Toms River, and 103 in Barnegat yesterday, setting records for , the National Weather Service, and driving many to spend the day indoors in the comforting cool of air conditioning.

Violent storms moved through the area not long after dark, bringing periods of heavy rainfall and, according to police reports, damaging a Toms River residence with a lightning strike.

The storms helped bring overnight temperatures down to about 70 in the area. A high of 84 is expected for today, says the NWS, with a chance of showers before 8 a.m. and a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m.

The weekend will be cooler, but the potential for storms remains through Sunday. Monday will likely be sunny and cool. Here's the outlook:

• Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 75. East wind between 9 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch;  higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with more possible in thunderstorms.
• Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. West wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Monday: Mostly sunny with a high of 77.