Thunderstorms, Snow, High Winds Target NJ In Wild Weather Shift

A brief warm-up Thursday in New Jersey will usher in heavy rain, winds of up to 50 mph and possibly even thunder before a dive in temperatures brings more winter-like conditions, according to the latest forecast.

While high winds, flooding and heavy rains will pelt the region Friday, portions of the Garden State could see snow as temperatures plunge and a cold front settles in.

During the day Thursday is the "calm before the storm," with sunny skies and temperatures reaching up into the 50s, National Weather Service forecasters said. Things will get cloudier as the day goes on, but conditions otherwise will be calm.

Thursday night is when a warm front lifts through the area, with a cold front close behind.

"This will result in rain overspreading the area overnight, with pockets of heavy rain and perhaps a few elevated thunderstorms mixed in," National Weather Service forecasters said.

Winds are the biggest concern with this storm, though forecasters don't expect anything severe. A Wind Advisory will be in place for all of New Jersey from 1 a.m. Friday through 1 a.m. Saturday. Winds of 20 mph to 30 mph are expected, with gusts of up to 45 mph or even 50 mph possible, with stronger winds coming with a cold front.

"Along much of the I-95 zone, some of the strongest wind gusts will occur late Thursday night to Friday morning rush hour, right as the storm's cold front swings through," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.

The most damaging wind gusts are expected from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, with the heaviest rain from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Overall, the rain will be beneficial, forecasters said.

Rain will end by midday Friday, though gusty winds will linger until dawn Saturday. As the cold front takes hold Friday any lingering precipitation could come in the form of ice and snow, but accumulation is unlikely, forecasters say.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Thursday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Temperature rising to around 52 by 5 a.m. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain before 4 p.m., then a slight chance of snow. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Temperature falling to around 37 by 5pm. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. West wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 33.

Central Jersey

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 a.m. Temperature rising to around 55 by 5 a.m. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., then rain between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Temperature falling to around 40 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

South Jersey

Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 a.m. Temperature falling to near 45 by 9 p.m., then rising to around 56 during the remainder of the night. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., then rain between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Temperature falling to around 40 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 37.