Changes In Store For NJ Weather As Storms Move In: See Forecast

NEW JERSEY — After several days of clear weather, rain and potential thunderstorms are expected in New Jersey this weekend.

The National Weather Service said that rain and likely thunderstorms are on the cards for the Garden State beginning overnight Friday.

While Saturday will not be a total washout, there will be scattered showers and storms before noon. "The severe threat is low, but remain alert for brief downpours, gusty winds, and small hail," the NWS said.

A round of showers with some rumbles of thunder is expected overnight through Saturday morning, especially northwest of I-95, according to forecasters with the NWS's Mt. Holly office. Scattered showers and storms will linger into Saturday afternoon.

Behind the sporadic showers into Saturday night, winds will kick up.

"While it will be much cooler on Sunday, when compared to Friday, the gusty winds and very dry air will quickly dry out the brush and fallen leaves once again," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

There is also an increased risk of fire spread starting Friday across portions of New Jersey.

The NWS issued a special weather statement, warning residents to avoid outdoor burning.

"There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon across portions of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania," the NWS Special Weather Statement said.

“The minimum relative humidity values will be around 25 to 35 percent combined with southerly winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts near 20 mph. High temperatures will be in the mid 70s to near 80 degrees. These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.”

Apart from discouraging outdoor burning, the NWS is reminding residents to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts.

Earlier this week, a 15,000-acre wildfire started in southern Ocean County, New Jersey. A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with arson in connection with the blaze.

Here’s the forecast for New Jersey:

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Tonight: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Sunday night: Clear, with a low around 45.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
• Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

With reporting from Kara Seymour, Patch Staff