Flood Risk Returns To NJ With Midweek Storm

NEW JERSEY - A cool, chilly week is in store for the Garden State, complete with a midweek rainstorm that will threaten half the state with up to two inches of rain and potential flooding, forecasters said.

The rainfall is expected to begin Wednesday afternoon, which will see temperatures in the 50s and periods of rain lingering through Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest rainfall will be mainly southeast of I-95 on Thursday, though rain will last the longest towards the coast.

“Soils remain very saturated from the weekend rain,” the weather service said, noting the two to three inches that already fell on parts of the state over the weekend. “This rain may lead to additional rises on creeks, streams, and river across the area.”

As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Salem and Cumberland counties are under a flood warning through noon. Ocean County is under a coastal flood advisory through 4 p.m.

"Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring," the National Weather Service said.

Water levels have remained lower than feared, so widespread moderate coastal flooding is no longer expected. Widespread minor coastal flooding remains in the forecast, however. pic.twitter.com/gpXE9y5xeq
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 26, 2024

The sun is set to return to New Jersey skies on Friday with highs near 53 degrees and wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph, forecasters said. A dry weekend is also likely, though stormy conditions could come back as soon as Monday.

Here's the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers, mainly after 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Patchy fog between midnight and 2 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 8 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Breezy.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Low around 43. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain. High near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 2 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Breezy.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Low around 43. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain. High near 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Breezy.