NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain, Tornadoes Possible

NEW JERSEY - Severe thunderstorms are heading towards the Garden State again, bringing with it the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds, large hail and even tornadoes Saturday, forecasters said.

Showers and thunderstorms will be possible in northern and central New Jersey starting Saturday afternoon and lingering through the wee hours of Sunday morning, the National Weather Service said. Localized flash flooding is also in the cards.

Given the recent rainfall in the region, it won’t take much for flash flooding to take over some small streams, AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said, adding that downpours lasting more than a few minutes can result in street and poor-drainage area flooding.

The greatest threat for severe weather will be in northeast Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey. South Jersey should only see minimal effects: isolated severe thunderstorms are possible south of I-95 to Ocean County. No severe thunderstorms are expected in Cumberland and Cape May counties, the weather service said.

Portions of northeast PA and northern NJ are now under an Enhanced Risk for severe weather this afternoon and tonight. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes will be possible with storms that become severe later today. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings! pic.twitter.com/F9dqSObY0E
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 12, 2023

As of 11:30 a.m., all 21 New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook due to possible flooding, which could continue through Monday.

“Several instances of flooding are possible on Monday, especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near particularly vulnerable small creeks and streams,” the weather service said.

In North Jersey, precipitation will continue through around 7 a.m. Sunday. The forecast for the entire state will gradually become sunny with a high near 81 degrees, forecasters said.

Monday will see partly sunny skies with a high near 80 before severe thunderstorms return Monday night, the weather service said. Flooding downpours, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and isolated tornadoes are all possible.

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

North Jersey

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. High near 80. Southwest wind around 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.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Low around 65. South wind 5 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.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

South Jersey

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A slight chance of showers between 2 and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.