'Bomb Cyclone' With Torrential Rain, Possible Tornadoes Headed To NJ

NEW JERSEY — A rapidly strengthening "bomb cyclone" is headed to New Jersey to dump several inches of rain, some thunder, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes mid-week, according to the latest forecast.

The storm will move in Tuesday night and bring widespread rain to all of New Jersey for most of Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Heavy rains could make for a dangerous commute, AccuWeather forecasters warn. There will likely be travel delays.

Between 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected to fall in New Jersey during the event. "Locally severe" thunderstorms are possible Wednesday in the coastal Northeast with the possibility of a few tornadoes in part of the mid-Atlantic, AccuWeather said.

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

There's low risk of flooding rivers due to the ongoing drought, but torrential downpours could result in ponding on the roads and reduced visibility.

"Despite how dry it's been the past few months, there is the potential for some localized urban and small stream flooding as total rain amounts will generally be at least 2 to 3 inches," the National Weather Service said Tuesday afternoon. "The best chances for flooding will be through the urban corridor."

Winds of up to 50 mph could blow along the coast, and the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in parts of Monmouth and Burlington counties, and in all of Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties. Another runs until 10 p.m. in the northeastern corner of the state.

"Locally severe thunderstorms can occur on Wednesday in the coastal Northeast with the possibility of a few tornadoes in part of the mid-Atlantic," Rayno said.

The coast is expected to see the worst of this storm.

"The impactful nature of the storm in coastal areas of the Northeast will be like a landfilling strong tropical storm or hurricane," AccuWeather forecasters said.

Coastal residents are urged to tie down holiday decorations along with trash cans or recycling bins. Winds may also cause sporadic power outages.

Rain will stop by nighttime as a cold front moves in, ushering a few days of cold temperatures.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 7 p.m. Low around 49. East wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain before 1 p.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then rain after 4 p.m. High near 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m., then a chance of rain between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 28. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Central Jersey

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 9 p.m. Temperature rising to around 58 by 5 a.m. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain before 1 p.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then rain 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 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of rain between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 28. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 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 38. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 37.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

South Jersey

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly after 9 p.m. Temperature rising to around 59 by 5 a.m. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 65. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m., then a chance of rain between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 28. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 40. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 38.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.