Thunderstorms, Flooding, Harsh Winds Back In NJ's Forecast

NEW JERSEY — A cold front will make its presence known, with some thunderstorms, strong gusts and heavy downpours Thursday night throughout New Jersey, according to the National Weather Service. A few thunderstorms may even produce damaging winds, the agency says.

Showers will likely begin during the day Thursday, but the most severe weather will most likely arrive that night, according to forecasters. That's when a strong cold front will cross the region, potentially generating heavy rain and some flash flooding, the National Weather Service says.

The storms should clear out by Friday morning, according to weather officials.

The most likely risks from the storms in the region will stem from gusts strong enough to break tree limbs and trigger sporadic power outages, according to AccuWeather. Brief torrential downpours may lead to flash flooding, and a couple of isolated tornadoes remain possible.

Officials expect the strongest storms from I-95 north and west. The National Weather Service's New York office, which covers northeast New Jersey, anticipates winds of 20-30 mph in the region.

AccuWeather expects 1-2 inches of rain in New Jersey.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest North Jersey forecast:

• Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 72. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 7 to 9 mph.
• Thursday: Showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 69. South wind 10 to 16 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 night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Low around 55. South wind 8 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Here's the agency's latest South Jersey forecast:

• Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph.
• Thursday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog between 10 a.m. and noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.