Heavy Rain, Strong Winds To Soak NJ: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Widespread rain will move across New Jersey Tuesday night, drenching the state with up to 3 inches of rain and gusts of wind of up to 45 mph causing hazardous commuting conditions Wednesday.

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A dense fog advisory is in place for much of the Garden State until 12 p.m., except for the northeastern corner. Caution is urged while driving, as visibility is one quarter mile or less in fog, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of Tuesday should be dry, minus a few potential showers in the afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said, and a warm front will lead temperatures into the 50s.

Then, Tuesday night is when heavy rain begins.

"Widespread rain begins to overtake the area late tonight, with rainfall being nearly continuous until the cold front works its way through Wednesday evening," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Rainfall should be heaviest Wednesday afternoon and evening as the front approaches."

Wednesday will be very wet with up to 3 inches of rain falling, forecasters said, and could cause a hazardous commute.

"An intense band of rain may develop with gusty winds that can really hamper travel during the afternoon and evening commutes on Wednesday from the Carolinas to southern New England," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "Thunder and lightning could accompany the intense rain and urban flooding potential."

There could also be localized flooding in urban areas and places with poor drainage. But it will primarily be beneficial with the state still facing drought conditions, with rain replenishing rivers and reservoirs that are in need. Widespread flooding is not a concern with this storm, forecasters say.

Winds will ramp up around 25 to 35 mph, according to National Weather Service forecasters, with potential gusts up to 45 mph in coastal areas. These could be damaging, especially near the coast.

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: A chance of rain, mainly after 5 p.m. Areas of dense fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 50. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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: Areas of dense fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

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: Areas of dense fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

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.