NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Flooding, 70 MPH Winds In Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Severe thunderstorms, flooding and fierce winds are all in the cards when Monday’s afternoon storm hits the Garden State, forecasters said.

Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph will serve as the largest threats throughout the state, as well as flash flooding and large hail, the National Weather Service said.

Though some showers and thunderstorms are already entering the area Monday morning, the main event is expected to travel from west to east starting at 2 p.m., with the greatest severe thunderstorm potential to come after 4 p.m., the weather service said. While south of I-95 is at an “enhanced” risk of numerous severe and persistent storms, the northern region is slated to see possible scattered, short-lived or not widespread storms.

As of Monday morning, a flood watch is in effect for four New Jersey counties. The affected counties are:

• Sussex
• Warren
• Hunterdon
• Morris

A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for all 21 counties due to possible flooding through Monday night.

“Several instances of flooding are possible, especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near vulnerable small creeks and streams,” the National Weather Service said.

Wet weather with scattered storms is expected to linger in the Garden State until at least mid-week, when the daily threat of thunderstorms lowers to around 50 percent from Thursday to Sunday.

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

North Jersey

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9 a.m. and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 3 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 65. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 79. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Low around 65. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then showers likely between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

South Jersey

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2 and 3 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Low around 64. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.