Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In Parts Of NJ With Wind Gusts, Lightning Forecast

This story was last updated at 3:28 p.m.

NEW JERSEY — Several counties in New Jersey are under a severe thunderstorm warning Tuesday as a storm moves into the state, potentially bringing 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts and quarter-sized hail.

"Minor damage to vehicles is possible," the National Weather service said. "Wind damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible."

Portions of the following New Jersey counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as of 3:30 p.m., per the NWS:

• Southeastern Somerset, Northeastern Monmouth, and all of Middlesex County: Until 3:45 p.m.
• Northwestern Burlington and Southwestern Mercer Counties: Until 4 p.m.
• Essex, Hudson, and Union: Until 4:15 p.m.

Warnings in parts of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union, Morris, and Somerset Counties expire at 3:30 p.m.

Northwestern Gloucester County is under a flash flood warning until 5:45 p.m., as well, said the NWS.

View all current NWS severe weather watches and warnings in New Jersey here.

Severe weather, including widespread clusters of thunderstorms, are in the cards into the evening on Tuesday as the Garden State heats up in preparation for triple-digit temperatures later this week, forecasters said.

Tuesday is slated to see high temperatures pushing 90 degrees with potentially severe thunderstorms, localized flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds up to 70 mph in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

All 21 New Jersey counties remain under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m., the National Weather Service said. Forecasters said the highest threat for severe storms will take place between 1 and 9 p.m., with most storms exiting the state by the late evening.

Flash flooding will most severely affect areas north and west of the I-95 corridor, forecasters said.

“Scattered storms are forecast to develop this afternoon,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said in a statement. “Not everyone will experience a storm, but remain alert for changing conditions!”

Wednesday will see temperatures hovering around 90 degrees and sunny skies before severe thunderstorms are possible again on Thursday with the mercury hitting the mid-90s, the weather service said. Heat and humidity will crescendo on Friday with heat indices - what the temperature feels like to the human body - reaching up to 103 degrees in Long Branch and Atlantic City, 105 degrees in Toms River and Vineland and 107 in Somerville and Trenton.

The blazing temperatures between Thursday and Saturday is forecast to be a moderate heat wave, Accuweather said.

Forecasters say that fans of cooler temperatures may get a break from the scorching heat soon as a cold front over the weekend is expected to bring cooler weather, especially by Sunday.

The third week of July is typically the warmest week of the year, the National Weather Service said, with average temperatures set to slowly decrease for the next few weeks until a steep September drop-off.

Any extreme heat after this week is likely to be short-lived, Accuweather said, as current weather data suggests cooler air will come to the Northeast by the beginning of August.

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

North Jersey

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light southwest wind.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

South Jersey

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 1 and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.