Thunderstorms, Rain, Temperature Drop In NJ Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Up to two inches of rainfall are expected in the Garden State later this week, with thunderstorms and plummeting temperatures in the forecast.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service expect 1 to 2 inches of rain between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with the heaviest rain hitting the New Jersey coast.

“Low pressure will bring an extended period of steady rain to the area Wednesday afternoon and through Thursday and Thursday night,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly Station said in a Tuesday evening tweet. “Thunderstorms are also possible Thursday afternoon.”

Thursday night should bring another round of rain from I-95 northwestward, forecasters said.

The rainfall is predicted to move out of the state by Friday morning. Localized flooding in areas of poor drainage can be expected, but widespread flooding isn’t likely, per the National Weather Service, as the rainfall will come over a prolonged period of time.

Wednesday will likely see thickening and lowering clouds with an east wind of 10 mph, per the National Weather Service, and temperatures around the upper 40s.

According to the weather agency, temperatures in northern New Jersey may drop into the 30s (with far northwestern New Jersey in store for below-freezing air), but South Jersey could see a milder night in the 40s. Thursday will see temperatures in the mid-50s with wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

And while Friday and Saturday should see the mercury hovering around the mid-50s, temperatures are expected to drop again Sunday (mid-40s) and Monday (low-40s). Read more: Is NJ Done With Snow For The Season?

Here’s the latest forecast:

Wednesday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. East wind 10 to 15 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 43. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Rain. High near 58. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain, mainly before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2am. Low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.