NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, Showers, 'Damaging' Winds In Forecast

NEW JERSEY - A strong cold front from the west is set to usher in heavy downpours, scattered storms and potentially “damaging” wind gusts into New Jersey late Saturday afternoon, forecasters said.

The bulk of the severe weather will start at around 4 p.m. until about 9 p.m., per the National Weather Service, with rainfall estimates between .5 to 1 inch, although the greatest threat to the state will be locally damaging 25 to 35 mph wind gusts.

As of 1 p.m., nine New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook through Saturday night, with minor coastal flooding possible. The affected counties are:

• Middlesex
• Monmouth
• Ocean
• Cape May
• Burlington
• Gloucester
• Cumberland
• Camden
• Salem

The southwestern part of the state is at the highest risk of severe storms, according to the National Weather Service, with “short-lived and/or not widespread, isolated intense storms possible.” Hail is also possible for the region, the agency said.

The rest of the state, save for the Jersey Shore and the northeastern most tip of the state, is under a marginal risk for isolated, severe thunderstorms. The Jersey Shore and the northeastern most tip of the state may see virtually no severe storms, though heavy rain is still expected.

*model simulated* radar loop through tonight. If anything, expect showers/t-storms to arrive up to an hour earlier than shown here. This still give us a 'general' idea of when gusty downpours & locally strong t-storms will pass by later today. #pawx #mdwx #njwx #dewx pic.twitter.com/B8tzI7AzZn
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) April 22, 2023

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

North Jersey

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 68. Southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 53. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Light west wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

South Jersey

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 4 a.m., then showers likely. Low around 53. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind 5 to 10 mph.