Severe Weather Update: What New Jersey Can Expect

Severe Weather Update: What New Jersey Can Expect

Fifteen New Jersey counties are under a flood watch as forecasters warn that scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday could produce enough rainfall to trigger flash flooding, particularly on already waterlogged roads and highways.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say widespread flooding is not anticipated, but localized flash flooding remains a concern.

Some of Thursday’s thunderstorms could also turn severe, bringing frequent lightning, damaging wind gusts and large hail.

There is also a chance for isolated tornadoes, with the northern half of New Jersey facing the greatest potential, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Most of northern and central New Jersey, along with parts of the southwestern region, faces a slight risk of severe thunderstorms Thursday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. A “slight” risk is the second of five categories used to classify the threat of severe weather.

Forecasters estimate a 2% to 4% chance of a tornado developing in northern New Jersey Thursday. While that may seem like a low probability, it is considered a relatively significant tornado risk for the Garden State.

The Flood Watch, issued Wednesday afternoon, includes Bergen, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union counties, along with northwestern Burlington and western Monmouth counties.

The watch is scheduled to take effect Thursday afternoon and remain in place through late Thursday night.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop around midday Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters warn that some storms could produce torrential rainfall, with 1 to 2 inches possible across the state and isolated totals of 3 to 5 inches in the strongest storms.

New Jersey has recorded five confirmed tornadoes so far this year, including a brief twister that touched down in Atlantic County last Thursday during a powerful thunderstorm.

Four additional tornadoes were confirmed in the Garden State during a severe thunderstorm outbreak on July 21. One was rated EF0, with winds of 60 to 70 mph, while the other three were EF1 tornadoes, with peak winds estimated between 80 and 110 mph.

Check your local forecast.