Bomb Cyclone Brings Thunderstorm, Tornado Risks To NJ: See Timing

NEW JERSEY — Torrential downpours and strong winds are in store for New Jersey Wednesday as a bomb cyclone fed by an atmospheric river of moisture grows in strength.

Forecasters are warning that there could be thunderstorms and possibly even tornadoes.

"Locally severe thunderstorms can occur on Wednesday in the coastal Northeast with the possibility of a few tornadoes in part of the mid-Atlantic," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. The tornadoes would be brief but potentially rain-wrapped and difficult to see.

Rainfall totals will end up near 2 inches, with higher totals anticipated along the Jersey Shore, according to the National Weather Service.

"Some rain will act like a giant firehose and organize into an intense north-to-south, west-to-east crawling squall with gusty winds," Rayno said.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph could blow, and the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, and in parts of Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Burlington and Cumberland counties through tonight.

Given the drought New Jersey is currently in, flooding will not be too much of an issue - instead, this rain will be primarily beneficial. However, areas with poor drainage may still flood, and ponding on roadways could make for a hazardous commute.

This storm will be especially bad for coastal areas. The National Weather Service said there is a "slight" risk (2 out of 5) of severe weather along the coast and a "marginal" risk (1 out of 5) elsewhere.

"The impactful nature of the storm in coastal areas of the Northeast will be like a landfilling strong tropical storm or hurricane," AccuWeather said. This could result in localized power outages and wind damage.

Precipitation will stop rather quickly Wednesday night. Temperatures will also climb but a blast of Arctic air will follow in the storm's wake, leading us into a few more frigid days. Another storm system looks to follow Sunday.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Wednesday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 64. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly before 9 p.m. Low around 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. West wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then rain between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly before 9 p.m. Low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly before 9 p.m. Low around 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.