Flood Watches Issued As Storms Move Into NJ Wednesday: See Latest Forecast

Flood Watches have been issued and the risk of severe weather increased overnight in the Garden State as storms move into the region later in the afternoon and evening, according to the latest forecast.

The watches are in effect through late Wednesday night in Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden and northwestern Burlington counties.

It will feel uncomfortable and unpleasant outside especially considering the nicer conditions New Jersey has had over the past week. High temperatures will be in the upper-80s to low-90s, with max heat index values reaching the upper-90s, though it should fall short of Heat Advisory criteria, National Weather Service forecasters said.

A cold front coming from the west will trigger late day showers and thunderstorms, forecasters said. Storms should be slow-moving, with flash flooding as the primary threat, followed by damaging winds. There is a marginal risk of both severe weather and excessive rainfall across much of the state.

Storms have the potential to drop 1 to 3 inches of rain, resulting in possible flash flooding in the areas under watch.

"If storms end up back building, the potential exists for up to 6 inches of storm total rainfall over very isolated areas," the National Weather Service said.

Not everywhere in New Jersey will see rain. The Jersey Shore has a lower chance of precipitation.

"Showers and thunderstorms mostly taper off by midnight, but with the front getting hung up over the Mid-Atlantic, some lingering showers and thunderstorms may continue over portions of Delmarva and southern New Jersey," National Weather Service forecasters said.

Thursday will remain warm and cloudy, with the possibility of more thunderstorms developing. However, while locally heavy rain is expected, severe weather is not in the forecast.

Things will dry out in time for the weekend with the continuation of hot and humid conditions. The good news is that it will peak on Sunday, and then both heat and humidity will moderate in the following days, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between noon and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 10 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

South Jersey

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between noon and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.