Tornado Warning, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In NJ: See Latest

NEW JERSEY — A tornado warning has been issued in New Jersey, and several counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as storms move in to the Garden State Thursday afternoon.

Portions of Burlington and Ocean Counties are under a tornado warning until 3:30 p.m., as radar indicated rotation in a storm over Browns Mills, moving northeast at 30 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

This impacts northeastern Ocean and east central Burlington counties.

As of 3 p.m., Burlington and Camden Counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as a storm with wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour approaches, according to the National Weather Service. The warning expires at 3:30 p.m.

"Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible," the NWS said.

The greatest chance for heavy rain and thunderstorms will be during the late afternoon, which may affect rush hour travel, according to the NWS. Localized flooding is also possible, especially in areas above I-95.

“Pack your rain gear today and give yourself extra time to get around this evening,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly Station said in a statement.

Airline delays and flight cancellations are expected to spike Thursday, as the severe weather may affect airport hubs in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta and more, according to AccuWeather. Motorists should also anticipate "significant delays," ponding and poor visibility on highways.

Peak wind gusts, which could approach 80 mph in some areas, will be able to down trees, trigger power outages and cause damage to properties, the outlet added.

As of 7 a.m., 13 New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook through Thursday night due to flood risks. The affected counties are:

• Sussex
• Warren
• Morris
• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Middlesex
• Mercer
• Burlington
• Essex
• Passaic
• Hudson
• Union
• Bergen

“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.

The Weather Prediction Center has also placed In Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Union and Bergen counties, as well as New York City, Westchester and parts of Long Island, in a Marginal Risk of Excessive Rainfall through tonight. There will be a low risk of flash flooding this afternoon and evening, the weather service said.

Friday will be a welcome break from wet weather with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s before Saturday brings another chance of thunderstorms, forecasters said.

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

North Jersey

Thursday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 79. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog between 4 and 5 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. West wind around 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

South Jersey

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 82. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.