Rain Totals Skyrocket For NJ Weekend Storm: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Up to four inches of rain are slated to drop on New Jersey as two storms are set to converge on the state this weekend, bringing potential flooding and fierce wind gusts that could cause power outages.

The storm 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, the weather service said.

The heaviest rainfall is expected Saturday afternoon with peak rainfall rates of a quarter inch to a half inch an hour, forecasters said. The rain is then slated to taper off from southwest to northeast by Saturday evening.

As much as 3 to 4 inches of rain could come to the Jersey Shore, while the rest of the state could see two to three inches of rain -- that is, with the exception of the northwestern most part of the state, which could see less than two inches.

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.

🌧️☔️ Saturday is looking wet. Very wet. The stretch of relatively dry weather will come to an end Friday night into Saturday as moderate to heavy rain spreads into the area. Some areas of flooding will be possible, so stay tuned for additional updates. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/ZkwNTIFcK2
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 21, 2024

A chilly end of the week is expected before the storm, with daytime Thursday temperatures in the mid 30s to drop into the 20s overnight. Friday will be sunny with highs in the 40s, forecasters said.

The post-storm forecast is also expected to be clear, with Sunday daytime temperatures forecast 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

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

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

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

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

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind around 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph.

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.