Rainfall Totals Rise For Next NJ Storm, Flood Risk Increases

NEW JERSEY - The Garden State is set to see several inches of rain through the week after multiple rounds of rain hit the region through Saturday, forecasters said.

While the steadiest and heaviest rain expected Wednesday and Saturday, half an inch of rain or less has already fallen on most of the state as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. New Jersey could see up to 3 to 4 inches of rain accumulation through Sunday, with an increasing risk of flooding in the state throughout the week due to saturated ground.

“With the latest guidance, there appears to be a trend to slightly further east with rain amounts. If this trend continues, it will be good news so far as limiting the flooding threat across our region,” the agency said. “Primary concern for the flooding risk at this point is in coastal areas, especially around the times of high tide as the tide coming in could exacerbate any freshwater drainage.”

Significant Flood Outlook product has been issued for the Mid-Atlantic US https://t.co/z4PrakW65b pic.twitter.com/y1LGH0EluN
— NWS MARFC (@NWSMARFC) March 4, 2024

AccuWeather is already predicting travel delays Thursday due to potential flooding, according to its daily forecast.

Tuesday is expected to see rain before 1 p.m. and a drizzle after 1 p.m. with patchy fog at night, the National Weather Service said. Another round of heavy rain is expected Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning before sunny skies make a brief appearance Friday. Saturday will once again usher in a new round of rain through Sunday.

The silver lining: sunny skies are expected to return to the Garden State just in time for the Monday morning commute.

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

North Jersey

Tuesday: Rain. High near 46. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Patchy fog between 8 and 10 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 43. North wind 5 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 46. North wind around 17 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m., then areas of drizzle with a chance of rain after 1 p.m. High near 52. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m., then areas of drizzle with a chance of rain after 1pm. High near 54. East wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 58. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.