Tornado Watch Issued In 16 NJ Counties, Thunderstorms In Forecast

UPDATE: As of 7:15 p.m., a confirmed tornado was located over Bensalem, or 10 miles southwest of Trenton, moving east at 25 mph. A Tornado Warning is in effect for Ocean, Monmouth and Burlington counties until 9:30 p.m. A flash flood warning is in effect in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties until 11 p.m. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned areas.

"Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," the National Weather Service said. "Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."

Those in areas under the Tornado Warning are instructed to take cover. "Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," the weather service advises. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

NEW JERSEY — The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for several New Jersey counties Thursday afternoon amid anticipated thunderstorms, ping-pong ball sized hail, excessive rainfall and strong wind gusts through the evening.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit southern, central, and parts of northern New Jersey between 2 and 10 p.m., the weather agency said. Widespread thunderstorms with dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected, especially after 4 p.m., with predicted rainfall amounts ranging between a quarter and half inch. Expect temperatures near the low 70s heading into the evening.

A Tornado Watch was issued for 16 New Jersey counties on Thursday afternoon through 9 p.m. A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes. Here are the affected counties:

• Atlantic
• Cape May
• Hunterdon
• Monmouth
• Salem
• Warren
• Burlington
• Cumberland
• Mercer
• Morris
• Somerset
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Middlesex
• Ocean
• Sussex

All 21 New Jersey counties were listed in a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued Thursday morning. The National Weather Service issues a Hazardous Weather Outlook when there is a potential for severe weather events.

“Several instances of flooding are possible” on Thursday heading into the afternoon, “especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near vulnerable small creeks and streams,” according to the weather agency.

A lightning risk has also been issued for most of the state through Thursday night, with "significant" cloud-to-ground lightning expected in 16 counties.

In coastal waters near Sandy Hook, Manasquan, Little Egg Harbor and Cape May, winds in excess of 34 knots, large hail, and an isolated waterspout are also possible, the agency said.

The gloomy weather is expected to wane by Friday, which is predicted to see sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s, according to AccuWeather. In fact, this weekend may see clear skies for three days in a row, with the exception of a possible afternoon thunderstorm on Sunday.

Here is the latest forecast:

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 4 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday night: Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Low around 73. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Clear, with a low around 57. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 21 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight.