A dangerously hot situation most in NJ overlook this time of year

Spring has officially arrived in New Jersey. A time of transition for our weather as we slowly march closer and closer toward summer.

What's nice about early spring is that it's not really that hot yet. Yes, we can still get days well into the 80s, like what happened the final week of March. But overall, the weather will still be cool for the majority of April.

The first full week of the month is a prime example of this. Temperatures below normal are just a taste of what can happen this time of year.

Yes, flowers are now open all around the state with more to come, but that won't be a problem for plants native to the area. And that's in part due to the higher sun angle.

The only reason we don't notice it as much now as opposed to fall is simple. It's because the air is much cooler now than it was then. Think about it. The sun angle is the same now as it is in September, but you notice it much more at that time of year because it's still summer.

Again, the air temperature is a big reason why we notice it less. Instead of wearing shorts, we're still wearing heavier jackets.

That's why, if you're inside a car with the windows rolled up, April can be a particularly dangerous time of year.

Sunray heat

Notice on sunny days how much warmer your car is compared to the outside air temperature? Even if temperatures are in the 40s, your car can still heat up pretty significantly.

That's the danger that's overlooked. Car interiors have the potential to overheat rather quickly thanks to the higher sun angle. This is particularly true on those warmer, early spring days.

And for those who drive around with pets or children in the car, this is something you can't ignore. Even though it's still April, that heat inside the vehicle can still be dangerous, and will get worse as the season progresses.

Same as late-season sun

Even if the air is cool, it's good practice to at least crack the windows open if you're going to have kids or pets in the car. That's especially important if the vehicle's going to be parked in the sun and turned off.

Remember, the sun angle is in the same position as it normally would be in September. Those sun rays are now strong enough to heat cars to potentially dangerous levels, much like they still are when we enter the fall season.

Just remember this whenever you have passengers in a non-running car. It may still be cool out, but that doesn't mean the interior isn't heating up.

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 Sunday morning host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.