"As the system passes and strengthens, a few thunderstorms may reach severe limits this afternoon," forecasters said. "The main risk is damaging winds and large hail, but there is a non-zero risk of an isolated tornado."
While severe weather is possible, most of New Jersey remains under Level 1 (Marginal Risk) as of Thursday morning.
The heaviest rain is expected to take place midday Thursday, with the highest rainfall amounts focused over the northern half of New Jersey, as well as the southern Poconos and Lehigh Valley.
Due to the incoming rain, some spotty minor tidal flooding is possible on Thursday and Friday for coastal communities, especially within Barnegat Bay.
A Coastal Flood Advisory is in place until 2 p.m. on Thursday for Ocean and Coastal Ocean.
During this time, low-lying areas near tidal waterways may become inundated with some partial, or full road closures possible, the weather service warns.
National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly
After rain passes on Thursday, colder air is expected to start wrapping into the system by Friday, as new lows develop off the coast.
"This may result in a mix with or change to wet snow in the higher elevations of the southern Poconos," forecasters said. "However, no significant accumulation expected."
Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:
NORTH JERSEY
Thursday: Rain, mainly after 10 a.m. High near 60. East wind around 10 MPH, with gusts as high as 20 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Rain. Low around 41. North wind 11-14 MPH, with gusts as high as 25 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half an inch are possible.
Friday: Rain. Steady temperature around 43. North wind 9-14 MPH, with gusts as high as 25 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind around 7 MPH.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 7-11 MPH, with gusts as high as 21 MPH.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after noon. High near 63. East wind 5-15 MPH becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 5-10 MPH, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain. High near 46. North wind 10-15 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 10 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 5-10 MPH.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
SOUTH JERSEY
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 10-15 MPH becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 7 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 10-15 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain likely before noon, then a chance of rain after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 MPH, with gusts as high as 30 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A chance of rain before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 15 MPH, with gusts as high as 25 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15-20 MPH.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.