Heavy Rain Returns To NJ With Flash Floods, Thunderstorms

A warm and dry stretch in New Jersey is coming to an end Thursday as heavy rain returns, bringing with it the threat of flash flooding and thunderstorms, according to the latest forecast.

A cold front approaching on Thursday will increase the chances for rain, according to the National Weather Service.

"As the front approaches from the west, precipitation chances increase for those in the western portions of the forecast area throughout the day on Thursday," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Those along and east of the metros will stay primarily dry with 30 percent chance of precipitation or less."

Precipitation chances will increase Thursday night into Friday.

One to 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts of 2 to 3 inches of rain are possible along the Jersey Shore. The rest of the state can expect a trace to an inch, forecasters said.

"Exactly where the heaviest precipitation totals line up remains uncertain and will be dependent on where the front stalls," National Weather Service forecasters said.

As rain hasn't fallen in a while, it may make some roads slippery and trigger flash flooding.

"This is the type of setup that can quickly lead to flash flooding as heavier rain cells may continuously move over the same areas," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

The cold front will leave on Saturday and things will stay mostly dry, though a spotty shower over the weekend can't be ruled out, according to the National Weather Service.

This will also usher in lower temperatures.

"High temperatures will be noticeably cooler with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Overnight low temperatures will be in the 40s for most," the National Weather Service said. "Temperatures continue cooling Sunday into early next week with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and overnight lows in the 30s for most (40s metro areas)."