Southern Storm Track Changes As It Approaches NJ: See The Latest

NEW JERSEY — Rain has moved into New Jersey Wednesday morning, and forecasters now have a better idea of how a tropical storm system moving up from the Carolinas will impact the Garden State.

The powerful storm, which dumped up to 20 inches of rain further down the coast, could combine with another developing system, as the National Weather Service said earlier this week.

"This setup will result in a cloudy and dreary period through (Wednesday night) with off and on showers and perhaps some heavier downpours, especially along the coast," the NWS said on Wednesday morning.

Much of New Jersey is expected to get some much-needed rain, though forecasters say that communities in the northwestern part of the state should remain mostly dry.

On Wednesday, coastal communities could see between half an inch and one inch of rain, while towns further inland are expected to get around a tenth to a quarter of an inch, the NWS said.

Unsettled weather will continue through the end of the week, and there is a high risk for rip currents at all points along the Jersey Shore through Friday afternoon. The NWS expects some minor coastal flooding in those communities and throughout South Jersey.

High temperatures will also remain in the 70s during this rainy period, forecasters said.

Here is a look at the forecast around New Jersey through Friday, per the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday night:A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. North wind around 7 mph.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 8 to 13 mph.

Thursday night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Thursday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 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.

Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly between noon and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.