Advisories Issued As Severe Weather Threat Increases In NJ: Latest Updates

A powerful storm system moves into New Jersey starting Wednesday night, with 50 mph wind gusts, 3 inches of rain and coastal flooding all possible just before Halloween, according to the latest forecast.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, National Weather Service forecasters said that the threat of severe weather "has ticked up a bit" but remains small. Forecasters also said to expect more rain and higher winds than previously reported.

The good news is that things should dry out in time for trick-or-treating on Friday, though it will still be a quite breezy Halloween, National Weather Service forecasters said. Some towns in the Toms River area, which typically trick-or-treat on Oct. 30 as their famous Halloween parade falls on Oct. 31, will be instead trick-or-treating on Nov. 1.

Advisories have been issued for rain and coastal flooding across the state.

The storm starts after midnight Wednesday, with periods of light rain intensifying throughout the day Thursday. Overall, 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected, National Weather Service forecasters said. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible, forecasters warned.

The rain will mostly be beneficial, but could result in some minor flooding in areas with poor drainage.

Coastal Flood Advisories will be in place throughout the Jersey Shore until Thursday evening, with vulnerable roads in coastal and bayside communities at risk. Residents in these areas can expect partial or full road closures due to flooding. Coastal flooding is expected to be minor, but the back bays of Barnegat Bay may see moderate flooding with Thursday evening's high tide.

Wind Advisories have been issued in all of New Jersey's coastal counties, including southeastern Burlington County, throughout the day Thursday. These advisories will expire by the late afternoon.

"Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects," the National Weather Service said. "Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result."

By Thursday evening, winds will diminish and conditions will dry out, the National Weather Service said.

However, Friday will still be brisk and breezy, with gusts again of up to 50 mph possible. Another Wind Advisory may be issued.

Things will continue to be seasonably chilly through the weekend.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., then rain likely after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 60. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then rain between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Low around 47. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 63. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then rain likely between 8pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2 a.m. Low around 46. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

South Jersey

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers between 7 p.m. and midnight, then rain likely after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Rain before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Low around 46. South wind around 10 mph becoming west in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.