Forecasters Put East Coast 'On Alert' For Potential Storm: See NJ Impacts

AccuWeather meteorologists are putting the East Coast "on alert" for a potential tropical rainstorm that could cause coastal flooding and beach erosion along the Jersey Shore.

"The tropical wind and rainstorm is expected to form over the Gulf Stream off the Southeast coast Friday or over the weekend. This additional heat and energy from the warm ocean current can allow the rainstorm to strengthen further," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.

The storm is expected to move north into early next week, raising concerns of rough surf and strong rip currents along the shore, forecasters said.

The expected slow-moving nature of the tropical wind and rainstorm have AccuWeather meteorologists concerned about prolonged coastal flooding and beach erosion. These impacts are likely whether this feature becomes a tropical storm or not, forecasters said.

Forecasters are unsure of the storm's exact timing and track. The timing and strength of other nearby weather features will impact how close the storm gets to New Jersey beaches.

A strong and slow-moving high pressure in the North Atlantic would be more likely to steer the tropical wind and rainstorm close to the mid-Atlantic; while faster-moving high pressure would lead it further away from the coastline.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 a.m. Low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 a.m., then showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. High near 68. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Patchy frost after 4 a.m. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 38.

Friday: Patchy frost before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 64.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 69. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers, mainly before 2 p.m. High near 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 44. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 40.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.