Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In NJ: Damaging Winds, Heavy Rain Expected

This article was last updated at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

NEW JERSEY — Severe thunderstorm warnings are being issued in New Jersey on Friday afternoon, as severe storms capable of producing frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph are in the cards for much of the state.

The following counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:30 p.m. Storms capable of producing quarter-sized hail and strong winds.

• Northwestern Ocean
• South central Mercer
• Northeastern Burlington
• Southwestern Monmouth

Hot & humid again today. There is another risk for some severe t-storms this afternoon/evening. An isolated shower/t-storm this AM, then additional storms develop this PM with locally damaging winds/hail possible. Forecast updates: https://t.co/ka2HFv1KuB #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/RCfoPTBpyz
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) September 8, 2023

The silver lining? Temperatures at 88 degrees Friday are set to drop to 69 degrees Friday night and remain below 90 degrees, breaking the streak of blistering heat this week with weekend temperatures in the low- to mid-80s, per the weather service.

Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties are still under heat advisories through 6 p.m. due to expected heat index values up to 100 degrees, the National Weather Service said.

Garden State residents are advised to use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning, as well as check in on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.

Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions will be at an increased risk, forecasters said. Homes without air conditioning may also get much hotter than outdoor temperatures.

A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for the following counties through Friday night due to forecast scattered thunderstorm activity:

• Sussex
• Warren
• Morris
• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Passaic
• Bergen
• Hudson
• Essex
• Union
• Middlesex
• Mercer
• Monmouth
• Burlington
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Salem
• Cumberland

Additional rounds of showers are in the temperate weekend forecast, with a chance of thunderstorms every day through Wednesday.

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

North Jersey

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Heat index values as high as 98. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

South Jersey

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11 p.m. and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2 and 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2 and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.