NJ Weather: Severe Storms, High Winds, Hail In Thursday Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Sweltering temperatures will give way to the possibility of another round of severe weather in New Jersey on Thursday, forecasters said. Damaging winds, heavy rain and even a tornado are possible.

The major threats to the state are damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail and localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado also “can’t be ruled out" the agency said.

West of I-95 is under the highest severe weather threat Thursday, with scattered severe thunderstorms possible into the overnight hours. The entire state, save for southern Cape May and Cumberland counties, may see isolated flash flooding.

According to the National Weather Service, the storms are predicted to hit between 4 and 9 p.m.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening and may linger into the overnight hours. Some severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are possible. Damaging winds and hail are the primary threats. A tornado cannot be ruled out. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/qlE2Bw5Xnq
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 13, 2023

As of Thursday morning, 18 New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook due to possible flooding and scattered thunderstorms.

The affected counties are:

• Somerset
• Morris
• Sussex
• Warren
• Cumberland
• Mercer
• Salem
• Atlantic
• Ocean
• Burlington
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Cape May
• Bergen
• Passaic
• Hudson
• Essex
• Union

While the major threats of Thursday’s storm are expected to subside by around 9 p.m. for most of the state - save for the northwest corner - additional thunderstorms and heavy rain are anticipated to hit the Garden State Friday and through the weekend.

Here’s the latest forecast around New Jersey, per the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11 a.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. High near 82. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Low around 69. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

South Jersey

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Increasing clouds, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms