NJ Storm: See Timeline For 60-MPH Winds, Possible Tornadoes

NEW JERSEY - Severe thunderstorms, ferocious winds and a chance of tornadoes is in the cards for the Garden State today. But when will nasty weather strike the region?

As of Thursday at 3 p.m., New Jersey is under a severe weather outlook per the National Weather Service, with "scattered severe storms expected" across the state. Portions of northwestern New Jersey, including Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties, have been upgraded to "enhanced risk" status in which "numerous severe storms" are expected.

Major storms aren't expected to begin hitting the state until 4 p.m., although lighter storms could trek through the state sooner.

"Damaging winds will be an ongoing threat, but it should also be mentioned rainfall could be quite heavy and this could result in at least urban, small stream, and poor drainage flooding," the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion Thursday morning.

"In coastal areas of the mid-Atlantic from northeastern North Carolina to New York City and the Hudson Valley, most of the day [Thursday] may be free of thunderstorms with windy and warmer conditions," AccuWeather Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "It may take until the [Thursday] evening rush hour or perhaps a bit later for any severe thunderstorm to hit in these coastal locations of the Northeast," he added.

Here’s what’s expected to happen:

• Strong to severe storms with localized wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected to be ushered into the state around 4 p.m. today, starting from the state's western border.
• The I-95 corridor should see storms pick up by 7 p.m., while the Jersey Shore will see thunderstorms starting around 10 p.m. until around midnight. Tornadoes and flash flooding are both possible during this time period, per the National Weather Service.
• Thunderstorms will move offshore after 3 a.m. on Friday, although a chance of showers will still linger through Friday afternoon. Friday is expected to be partly sunny with a high approaching the upper 50s. However, winds can gust up to 30 mph.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a south wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Low around 51. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 15 mph.