'Strong' Thunderstorm With Damaging Winds Near Camden Co.: See Timeline, Impacts

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Officials detected a "strong" thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon near Camden County, with the potential to bring damaging winds to the area.

The National Weather Service detected the storm over Philadelphia International Airport at 1:42 p.m. The storm will impact portions of the northwestern portions of Camden and Gloucester counties, according to the agency's special weather statement.

The federal agency advised people in the impacted areas to do the following:

"If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service."

Hazards include penny-size hail and gusts up to 40 mph. The wind could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, and minor damage to outdoor objects is possible, the National Weather Service said.

A severe thunderstorm watch for all of New Jersey remains in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Frequent lightning may be possible during that time — along with scattered gusts up to 70 mph and isolated hail up to the size of ping pong balls, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest Camden County forecast:

• Tuesday afternoon: Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds, small hail, and frequent lightning. Hot. Near steady temperature in the mid-80s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. A chance of showers. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds, small hail, and frequent lightning in the evening. Humid with lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Wednesday: Sunny, hot with highs around 90. Southwest winds around 5 mph.