When To Expect The Worst Of NJ Nor'Easter: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Several inches of rain are set to drop on the Garden State this weekend as part of a fierce nor'easter storm slated to bring potential flooding and fierce winds up to 45 mph that could down trees and cause power outages.

The storm — the result of two system converging on the Atlantic coast — is set to begin Friday after midnight and move from south to north as temperatures dip into the low 30s, according to the National Weather Service. If temperatures drop low enough, North Jersey could even see some snow before changing over to rain.

Up to three to four inches of rain are expected at the Jersey Shore, while the rest of the state could see two to three and a half inches of rain - that is, with the exception of the northwestern most part of the state, which could see less than two inches. Locally higher amounts are possible, the weather service said.

The heaviest rainfall is expected Saturday afternoon (set to challenge daily and monthly rainfall records) with peak rainfall rates of a quarter inch to a half inch an hour, forecasters said. The strongest wind gusts are also expected mid-Saturday. The rain is then slated to taper off from southwest to northeast by Saturday evening.

🌧️🌬️ Widespread heavy rainfall leading to some areas of flooding will develop tonight through Saturday. The 2-3" of rainfall will challenge daily and monthly rainfall records. Strong winds may also leads to some downed trees or power outages. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/ALsvL7zRZe
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 22, 2024

All 21 New Jersey counties are under a flood watch through Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service said in a flood watch statement. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”

The two big storms, brewing near the Canada border and the Gulf, respectively, are set to bring coastal flooding during high tide, as well as significant beach erosion from the Carolinas to New Jersey, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

The mix of low clouds, rain and stiff breezes may result in airline delays, AccuWeather noted.

The immediate post-storm forecast is expected to be clear, with Sunday daytime temperatures slated to be in the sunny 40s. Garden State residents should enjoy the dry weather before another system could impact the region in the middle of next week, forecasters said.

Here's the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain after 2 a.m. Low around 31. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. High near 44. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain, mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Central Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 2 a.m. Low around 38. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 54.

Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

South Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 49. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 2 a.m. Low around 39. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 58. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.