Updated Nor'easter Forecast As Storms Approach NJ

Wind gusts of up to 45 mph, coastal flooding, dangerous rip currents and beach erosion are all in store as a coastal storm gears up to slam the Jersey Shore, according to the latest forecast.

Periods of rain are expected throughout Tuesday, with some showers lingering overnight and into Wednesday in South Jersey, National Weather Service forecasters said.

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Coastal flood advisories are already being issued, with more possible later in the week, the National Weather Service said. The upcoming full moon Saturday means that major tidal flooding is "not off the table," forecasters warned.

Rain is possible for the rest of the state but the biggest impacts are expected along the coast, the weather service said.

But these midweek impacts are not the primary concern of forecasters.

A much larger and more formidable storm front is developing along the Atlantic Coast that could turn into a nor'easter when it arrives on Friday.

The exact forecast remains "uncertain," the National Weather Service said, though potentially destructive winds, power outages, heavy rain, and additional flooding are all possible.

The nor'easter's impacts could be felt from Friday and throughout the weekend, until later Sunday.

Much will depend on the exact track of the storm, which still is not yet clear. Great clarity is expected in the next few days as it draws nearer.

"The storm may wander out to sea for a time, then drift west and return close to the coast later this week," Accuweather said. "More significant impacts will occur should the storm strengthen over open water and turn back toward the mid-Atlantic or New England coast, while less severe impacts would occur if the storm continued moving along rather than turning back toward the coast."

Atlantic coastal Cape May, coastal Atlantic and coastal Ocean counties will be under coastal flood advisories from 4 p.m. through 10 p.m. Tuesday. Coastal flood watches will be in effect Wednesday through late Thursday night.

"At this level, widespread roadway flooding occurs in coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal waterways," forecasters said. "Many roads become impassable. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur."

"Significant" beach erosion is also likely this week, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerous rip currents and high surf are both in store.

Wind advisories have also been issued in eastern Monmouth, Atlantic coastal Cape May, coastal Atlantic and coastal Ocean counties. Winds of 25 mph to 35 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph are possible. This advisory is in place from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 12 a.m. Wednesday night.

Forecasters are still unsure of what track the storm will take, which will determine the weekend forecast.

"Should the low track northeastward away from the region, any rain would be confined to the immediate coast, if any, and winds would decrease quicker," National Weather Service forecasters said. "A track closer to the coast or even into the coast would lead to potentially significant impacts from rain and wind."

For now, the National Weather Service is predicting between 20 percent and 40 percent chance for rain this weekend. Updates will be shared as the forecast becomes more solid.