Power Outages, Thunderstorms In NJ Forecast Monday; Rainy Week Ahead

NEW JERSEY - Forecasters are warning of thunderstorms in the Garden State on Monday, with up to 60 mph gusts of wind capable of causing power outages. The storms mark the first round of several rainy days this week.

The silver lining: temperatures are expected to climb to the mid-70s Monday, and thunderstorms aren’t expected to start until around 5 p.m. The Jersey Shore will see cooler temperatures around 65 degrees.

However, the spring-like temperatures are not going to last: AccuWeather meteorologists predict a cold blast will arrive later this week to bring temperatures back below average.

A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for roughly half the state from Monday through 1 a.m. Tuesday. Winds of around 30 mph to 50 mph, wth gusts of 60 mph, could hit the state.

Here are the affected counties:

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

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the weather agency said. “A line of showers with a few embedded thunderstorms will move across the area late this afternoon into this evening along a cold front and could contain winds briefly gusting up to 60 mph in places.”

The agency also urged extra caution when driving Monday, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle. Securing unsecured outdoor objects is also encouraged.

In a morning forecast discussion, the National Weather Service noted that light snow may be in the cards for New Jersey on Tuesday night into Wednesday. However, acculturation will be little to none (less than an inch north of Interstate 78). A mix of rain and snow is expected for other parts of the state, forecasters said.

Here is the latest forecast:

Monday: A chance of showers after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 38. Southwest wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Southeast wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.