Subtropical Storm Nicole In NJ: Heavy Rain, Fierce Winds Possible

NEW JERSEY - The Garden State could see aggressive remnants of Subtropical Storm Nicole after the storm system - slated to reach hurricane-level strength later this week - makes landfall on the southeast U.S. and barrels up the coast just in time for Veterans Day weekend, forecasters said.

Nicole could hit New Jersey as early as Friday into early Saturday, with periods of rain – some of them heavy – and fiercely windy conditions, the National Weather Service said Tuesday. Rough seas are also possible Friday through Saturday, with temperatures set to dip to a low of 33 degrees Saturday night.

While Nicole’s tumultuous interaction with a closed low system is expected to take place while Nicole is still southwest of New Jersey, “there are still a few possible hazards for our region [over the weekend] including heavy rain, winds, and thunderstorms,” National Weather Service forecasters said in a statement.

“We'll have a better idea of timing, rainfall amounts and maximum wind gusts within the next few days,” the National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather reports that, after Nicole makes landfall, the storm system will lean westward across the Florida Peninsula before pivoting to target the Northeast later in the week. However, the amount of rain and wind that New Jerseyans will see depends on how close Nicole ends up to the coastline, the weather service said, adding that other factors include a dip in the jet stream. Should the jet stream steer Nicole to the west, Garden State residents can expect heavy rain, fierce winds and “significant coastal impacts.”

Regardless of the direction the system takes, AccuWeather meteorologists note that Nicole will result in coastal flooding and beach erosion well to the north of Florida.

As of Tuesday morning, Tropical storm and storm surge watches have been issued as far north as Georgia as Subtropical Storm Nicole gained a bit of strength overnight, now producing 50 mph sustained winds, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported.

Nicole is currently located about 385 miles east-northeast of the Bahamas and has slowed slightly, moving northwest at 8 mph, headed straight toward the mainland U.S.

On the forecast track, the center of Nicole will approach the northwestern Bahamas Tuesday, move near or over those islands on Wednesday, and approach the east coast of Florida Wednesday night. Nicole's center is then expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night. Read more: Nicole Expected To Reach Hurricane Strength Before Florida Landfall

“Do not focus on the exact track of Nicole since it is expected to be a large storm with hazards extending well to the north of the center, outside of the forecast zone,” the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday. “These hazards are likely to affect much of the Florida peninsula and portions of the southeast U.S.”

For now, New Jersey skies should be mostly clear until Friday, when rain – which could be heavy at times – is predicted to hit the state. Highs near 71 are expected to plummet to 57 overnight, with additional rounds of rain set for Saturday before 1 p.m.

Here’s the latest forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Friday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 57. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday: A chance of rain before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.