Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Targets NJ As New Weather Pattern Arrives

NEW JERSEY - Garden State residents are in for a spring-like warmup this week with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, rain and potential thunderstorms expected for at least two days out of the week.

Monday will kick off the week with a slight chance of showers in the morning and potential flurries north of I-80 before a sunny afternoon raises temperatures to the mid-50s, according to the National Weather Service.

Tuesday will bring a higher chance of rain in the afternoon, though warm temperatures will remain in the mid-50s and even possibly the mid-60s in South Jersey.

The forecast will take a stormy downtown Tuesday night with evening rain, winds from 15 to 25 mph and coastal gusts as high as 45 mph expected overnight, forecasters said.

The National Weather service predicts a half inch to an inch of rain accumulation from Tuesday through Thursday across the Garden State.

"Heavy rain and locally gusty, damaging winds can still be a concern as the strong cold front crosses major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. The rain and wind could lead to difficult travel," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said, noting local tree damage and power outages will also be possible.

(3/4) Rain develops Tue afternoon, and periods of rain will continue through Wed. As the cold front pushes through Wed night, showers will produce locally heavy rain, as well as isolated thunderstorms. Localized flooding of poor drainage areas is possible. pic.twitter.com/8xnXeAjznO
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) February 26, 2024

Wednesday will see high temperatures in the mid-60s before possible heavy rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Localized flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage, the agency said.

Despite lingering sunny skies, the mercury is expected to drop on Thursday with temperatures in the 40s, a "good 5 degrees or so below normal for this time of the year,” the National Weather Service added.

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

North Jersey

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 54. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Monday Night: Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 7 p.m. Steady temperature around 50. South wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain. High near 60. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m, then a chance of snow showers after 4 a.m. Low around 26. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Central Jersey

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: Patchy fog between midnight and 1 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 64. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Low around 52. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 1 p.m. High near 64. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain showers before 4 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 31. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

South Jersey

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers or sprinkles after 3 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 10 p.m. Patchy fog after 1 a.m. Low around 49. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a south wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain showers before 4 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 31. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.