Severe Weather Alert Issued As Strengthening Storm Pounds NJ

Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible Friday as a storm lashes New Jersey, potentially knocking down trees and power lines, according to the latest forecast.

The strongest winds are expected around 10 a.m. through early afternoon, with isolated gusts up to 60 mph. A line of storms moves through at that time, putting the state at marginal risk of severe weather, National Weather Service forecasters said.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for northern Ocean, southeastern Hunterdon, northwestern Camden, Mercer, northeastern Gloucester, northern Burlington, southern Somerset, Monmouth and Middlesex counties through 10:30 a.m.

Forecasters encourage residents to go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

"This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning," forecasters said. "Do not wait until you hear thunder before taking cover."

A Wind Advisory is in place for all of New Jersey through 1 a.m. Saturday.

In the morning, winds are expected to gust 35 mph to 45 mph, occasionally gusting up to 50 mph, and westerly winds kick in during the afternoon with more widespread wind gusts of 40 mph to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

"These winds could result in some downed trees and scattered power outages...especially given the wet conditions softening up the soil," National Weather Service forecasters said.

The severe threat will end as that line of storms heads offshore Friday afternoon.

Rainfall totals are expected to stay around 1 inch, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest of this is expected in the morning.

Temperatures are also around the 50s and 60s Friday morning, but will quickly drop this evening in the wake of a cold front, forecasters said. It'll get into the 20s for overnight lows.

"One thing to note though is that temperatures likely won't reach the freezing mark until this evening meaning enough time will have passed from the rain ending to result in widespread icy conditions (flash freeze) being an issue," National Weather Service forecasters said. "That said, any remaining areas of standing water will freeze so there could certainly still be some icy spots tonight."