Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued In NJ As Extreme Weather Moves In

NEW JERSEY — Another round of severe storms is in store for New Jersey Wednesday. Forecasters predict this next round of weather will break the heat wave that has plagued the region for days.

As of 1 p.m. there are 17 counties under a severe storm watch. Those counties include Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Ocean Somerset, Union, Sussex and Warren counties. The watch is set to expire at 8 p.m.

Three counties thus far have been added to the severe thunderstorm warning list. Those counties are Sussex, Warren and Morris and include the towns of Newton, Hopatcong, Blairstown, Franklin, Ogdensburg, Branchville, Andover, Lake Mohawk, Greendell, Five Points, Pellettown, Crandon Lakes, and Allamuchy-Panther Valley. This also includes Interstate 80 in New Jersey between mile markers 12 and 17, according to the weather service.

The initial warnings are set to expire at 3:30 p.m.

At 3:25 p.m. Bergen County was added to the list, with an expiration notice of 4 p.m.

Much of the state is under an excessive heat warning again Wednesday and many areas can expect heat index values of more than 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

As we get into the afternoon, another round of thunderstorms will kick up and last through at least the evening hours and into the overnight. Some of the storms could be severe, the weather service warns.

The highest likelihood of storms in New Jersey will occur after 5 p.m., The Weather Channel predicts.

The greatest threat for these storms is damaging winds, the National Weather Service said. Scattered storms will then give away to residual showers before tapering off from northwest to southeast overnight.

The storms will usher in a cold front, bringing a stretch of more pleasant weather.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 95. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 72. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 7 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 95. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 72. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 7 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

South Jersey

Wednesday: A chance of showers after 4pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.