NJ Braces for Severe Storms: 5 Inches of Rain, Hail, and Tornado Threat

Severe thunderstorms are poised to impact New Jersey on Thursday, bringing the threat of up to 5 inches of rain, damaging winds, and hail. Accompanying these conditions is a slight possibility of isolated tornadoes. A flood watch has been expanded to cover 18 counties, commencing at noon on Thursday and concluding at 2 a.m. on Friday.

Expected to develop by early afternoon and persist through Thursday evening, these storms could produce widespread rainfall of 1 to 2 inches, with localized amounts reaching 3 to 5 inches. The National Weather Service warns of very heavy rainfall rates, potentially causing flash flooding and disruptions to the evening commute. Most of central and southern New Jersey are under a slight risk for severe weather, with only Cape May, Warren, and Sussex counties excluded from the flood watch.

The severe weather and flooding threat is projected to diminish overnight Thursday into Friday morning. Friday is anticipated to be mostly dry with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, though isolated showers are possible in southern areas. The cold front triggering Thursday's storms might stall offshore, potentially leading to additional storms over the weekend, with increased chances of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures throughout the weekend are expected to remain in the upper 70s to low 80s with rising humidity.