Jersey Shore Faces Major Storm Threats with Powerful Nor’easter Approaching

The "significant storm" is expected to arrive

Jersey Shore Faces Major Storm Threats with Powerful Nor’easter Approaching

Forecasters say a powerful nor’easter forming over the Atlantic Ocean could bring several days of coastal flooding, wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, waves between 6 and 12 feet high, and significant beach erosion along the Jersey Shore.

Coastal flood warnings are currently in effect for four New Jersey counties through Saturday morning, while wind alerts have been issued for coastal parts of the state.

Here’s the latest information on the storm’s projected path, timing, expected rainfall, and active weather alerts as of late Thursday afternoon.

The major coastal storm—technically classified as a nor’easter because its winds are coming from the northeast—began developing early Thursday over the Atlantic Ocean, well off the coast of North Carolina.

Forecasters expect the storm to move north and strengthen as it travels along the Atlantic coast from Thursday night into Friday night, before continuing toward New England.

At first, many meteorologists expected the storm to stay farther offshore, but the latest projections show it may track closer to New Jersey. A closer path could bring more significant coastal flooding and beach erosion, stronger winds, and heavier rainfall to the Jersey Shore.

Inland areas of New Jersey could also see rain this weekend, along with gusty winds on Friday and Saturday. However, forecasters say the impacts should be less severe away from the coast.

It’s important to note that the storm’s exact path remains uncertain as of late Thursday. Forecasters are still determining how close the storm’s center will come to New Jersey and where the strongest impacts will occur.

Wind Forecast

The National Weather Service and AccuWeather expect steady winds of around 25 to 35 mph to affect the Jersey Shore on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Wind gusts could occasionally reach 50 mph, particularly near the immediate coastline.

The weather service said Thursday afternoon that sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 60 mph, are possible in areas under a high wind watch. If the storm moves especially close to the coast, gusts of 40 to 50 mph could potentially extend inland across parts of the coastal plain southeast of I-95, though forecasters describe that as a worst-case scenario.

The strongest winds are expected Friday night into Saturday as the storm continues to strengthen.

A wind advisory is in effect from Thursday through 6 p.m. Friday for eastern Monmouth, coastal Atlantic, coastal Cape May and coastal Ocean counties. Those same areas are expected to be under a high wind watch from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Saturday.

Flooding Threats

Coastal flood warnings are currently in effect through 2 a.m. Saturday, with moderate flooding expected during high tides in coastal areas of Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May and Ocean counties.

Coastal flood advisories are also in place across several other counties, stretching from Middlesex and Monmouth south to Cumberland and Salem counties.

Strong winds, combined with Saturday’s full moon, could push additional water into back bays and increase flooding concerns. The National Weather Service says major tidal flooding is not currently expected, but it remains a possibility.

Forecasters warn that coastal and bayside communities could experience widespread roadway flooding, along with potential damage to vulnerable structures. Some roads may become impossible to travel on.

Rainfall Forecast

Although the nor’easter is expected to be a large storm, forecasters say that if it follows its current projected path, the heaviest rainfall will likely remain over eastern Long Island and parts of New England.

In New Jersey, the chance of rain is expected to increase late Friday and continue through Saturday and Sunday. However, significant rainfall totals are not currently expected.

By Sunday night, rainfall totals could range from around 0.1 to 0.25 inches across western and west-central New Jersey, while eastern parts of the state could receive approximately 1 to 2 inches.

Storm Timing

The main impacts from the coastal storm are not expected to reach New Jersey until Friday night or Saturday. As a result, much of the state could experience partly sunny conditions Friday, with temperatures reaching the upper 60s.

The National Weather Service says there is only a small chance of showers after 2 p.m. Friday. Winds are expected to average around 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph.

Cloud cover will increase Saturday, while wind gusts could reach 30 to 35 mph at times inland and potentially stronger along the coast.

The exact strength of the winds will depend on how close the center of the storm tracks to New Jersey.

Current forecasts call for showers late Saturday afternoon and Saturday night, with additional rain possible Sunday.

The storm is expected to move away from the region by Monday, bringing partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Check the latest forecast.