New Nor'easter Forms Off Atlantic Coast: How It Could Impact NJ

NEW JERSEY— A developing Atlantic storm could bring damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding concerns to parts of New Jersey, while a separate round of severe thunderstorms threatens the state before a sharp drop in temperatures over the weekend.

Forecasters expect wind gusts along parts of the Mid-Atlantic coast to reach 60 miles per hour as early as late Saturday night.

The storm’s track remains uncertain, however, leaving questions about how far inland its strongest effects could reach.

The greatest impacts would likely remain along the coast.

If the storm moves close enough to land, heavy rain could stretch from New Jersey to the eastern Carolinas, raising concerns about urban flooding, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty.

The storm could affect the region from late Saturday through early Tuesday, though forecasters have not settled on its timing or path.

When Will Severe Storms Hit NJ?

Before the Atlantic storm arrives, New Jersey faces a separate round of severe weather Friday, followed by gusty winds and a sharp temperature drop.

The National Weather Service expects morning clouds and light showers to give way to warmer, more humid conditions, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the upper 70s and low 80s.

Thunderstorms could develop from late afternoon into the evening, moving across the state from west to east.

The forecast calls for storms in northwestern New Jersey from 4 to 6 p.m., Central Jersey from 5 to 7 p.m. and South Jersey from 6 to 8 p.m.

The entire state faces a marginal risk of severe weather, or Level 1 on the National Weather Service’s five-level scale.

Storms could form a line capable of producing damaging winds.

The threat should diminish after sunset.

Overnight, winds could reach 15 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts between 25 and 35 miles per hour.

How Cold Will It Get This Weekend?

Saturday will bring cooler, drier weather, with winds easing by nightfall.

Temperatures will fall further overnight, potentially reaching freezing or below in northwestern New Jersey.

Central and South Jersey could see lows in the mid-30s, while coastal areas could drop into the upper 30s to mid-40s.

Widespread frost will most likely remain confined to the state's northern reaches, although inland areas could also see patchy frost, particularly in the Pine Barrens.

Temperatures should return to near-normal levels Sunday.

Why Is NJ Dredging Barnegat Bay?

A recent nor’easter also left a hazard for boaters along the Jersey Shore, prompting an emergency dredging project at the entrance to Barnegat Bay.

The storm deposited large amounts of sand in Double Creek State Channel, New Jersey's primary ocean-going entrance to the bay.

Some sections became as shallow as 1 to 3 feet, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The state agency's contractor, H&L Construction LLC, is undertaking an approximately $1 million project to restore safe passage through the channel.

Crews plan to dredge about 1,200 feet of the waterway, remove as much as 40,000 cubic yards of sand and restore the channel to a depth of 7 feet.

Work will continue around the clock, seven days a week, with completion expected by early November.

Until crews finish, state officials urge boaters to travel slowly through the channel and watch for pipes carrying sand during dredging operations.