Here's When To Expect The Worst Of A Late-Week Storm Headed To NJ

NEW JERSEY — April showers are on their way to the Mid-Atlantic to end the week and could drench much of New Jersey with an inch of rain or more, forecasters said.

A chilly Wednesday morning will give way to sunshine and seasonable temperatures before periods of rain begin on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest rain is expected Friday afternoon through Friday night, forecasters added, with showers expected to linger through Sunday.

Downpours could result in some localized flooding and fog could make travel conditions difficult, as well. NWS forecasters said there could be some thunder in the eastern half of the state on Friday, but that "no severe weather is anticipated."

Right now, meteorologists say that most of the state has a 70 to 80 percent chance of seeing more than one inch of rain through Saturday, "though some embedded heavier rain looks likely to the point some spots may get as high or even over two inches of rain."

Parts of Cape May and Sussex counties have between a 50 and 60 percent chance of getting more than an inch of precipitation, according to the NWS.

Meteorologists at AccuWeather added that some slushy snow is possible in higher elevations throughout the region, including the Catskills and Poconos.

"Should the storm linger longer than Friday night, additional cold air feeding into the storm could bring snow levels lower and increase snowfall over the mountains," AccuWeather said.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, NWS did not mention snow in their forecast discussion for New Jersey, including in the area of High Point State Park (the state's highest elevation).

The rain could improve drought conditions around the state, as much of New Jersey is still at a moderate level or above, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map. Portions of Cumberland, Gloucester, Atlantic, and Cape May counties are at the "extreme drought" level.

Here is the forecast around the Garden State through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 9 to 13 mph.

Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 33. Calm wind.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

Thursday night: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind 6 to 9 mph.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 50. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday night: Rain. Low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday: Rain likely before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday night: A 40 percent chance of showers before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 40.

Central Jersey

Wednesday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 50. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 33. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A chance of rain after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. Southeast 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 possible.

Thursday night: Rain likely, mainly after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 40. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday night: Rain. Low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday: Rain likely before 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday night: A chance of showers before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

South Jersey

Wednesday afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 35. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday night: Rain likely, mainly after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain. High near 52. East 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.

Friday night: Rain. Low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly before 8am, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.