NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain, Flooding Possible Thursday

NEW JERSEY - A week of cloudy skies and heavy rain continues in New Jersey on Thursday as forecasters predict up to two inches of rain in the state, paired with thunderstorms, wind gusts and localized flooding.

Showers are expected to cross the state throughout the day, starting from lighter rain in the north in the morning. A “lull” in the early afternoon may come before thunderstorms hit the state after 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Heavier rain is also likely to move in along a cold front after 5 p.m. Another round of scattered showers is expected to come again in the wee hours of Friday morning.

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The heaviest rain will fall north of I-78, the National Weather Service said, with the greatest risk for localized flooding in northwestern New Jersey this evening. The Jersey Shore could see up to one inch of rainfall accumulation; north and northwestern counties could see as much as 1.5 inches of rainfall.

Thursday is predicted to see a high of 55 degrees with 15 to 20 mph wind gusts.

The silver lining: the weekend looks favorable for spring-like weather in the mid-50s to low 60s. Saturday holds a slight chance of rain in the north; Sunday is expected to be sunny and cool.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 55. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then scattered showers between midnight and 2 a.m. Low around 45. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.