Flash Flooding, Isolated Tornadoes Possible In NJ Thursday

NEW JERSEY - Flash flooding is in the forecast for portions of the Garden State on Thursday, alongside severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and potential isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

While Wednesday may see thunderstorms in the afternoon, the heaviest showers are predicted to hit New Jersey on Thursday afternoon, with flash flooding mainly possible north and west of the I-95 corridor. 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected, with locally higher amounts possible.

“Much of this rainfall may occur in a short period of time, leading to the threat of at least localized flash flooding,” the National Weather Service said. “Damaging straight-line winds and isolated tornadoes are possible, with the main threat occurring from Thursday afternoon into the early overnight hours Thursday night.”

A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for eastern PA and northern NJ from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. A full briefing package will be updated later this morning. For more info, please check: https://t.co/UEBbLSweUw#NJwx #PAwx pic.twitter.com/HBkc803PeL
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) September 22, 2021

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for eastern Pennsylvania.

Along the Jersey Shore, a high rip current risk is now in effect through Thursday evening.

Dangerous rip currents that can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water are expected from Sandy Hook to Cape May. The risk was issued for Monmouth, Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties on Wednesday.

“Entering the surf is discouraged. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current,” the National Weather Service said. “If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”

A Hazardous Weather Outlook was also issued on Wednesday in all 21 New Jersey counties.

“With thunderstorms forecast Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, there is a marginal risk for some thunderstorms to be severe with damaging wind gusts,” the weather agency said. “An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. There is also a marginal risk for flash flooding with some thunderstorms.”

Here are the counties included in the outlook:

• Passaic
• Hudson
• Bergen
• Cumberland
• Essex
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Burlington
• Middlesex
• Ocean
• Salem
• Cape May
• Mercer
• Atlantic
• Sussex
• Monmouth
• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Warren
• Morris
• Union

Motorists are reminded not to drive through floodwaters and to always turn around if the safety of a road is in question.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 51.