Thunderstorms, Showers To Push Through NJ As Cold Front Moves In

NEW JERSEY — A strong cold front hitting New Jersey will bring with it wind, rain, and thunderstorms on the autumnal equinox Thursday, according to forecasters.

Rain is likely through most of the early part of the day and early afternoon, with the frequency tapering off later in the day, the National Weather Service says.

The agency issued a hazardous weather outlook for northeast New Jersey. While a strong cold front moves through the area, an isolated "strong to severe" thunderstorm remains possible, with "strong to damaging" winds representing the main threat.

The National Weather Service expects the storms to push offshore Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will then begin the cool off with breezy northwest winds developing behind a strong cold front, according to forecasters.

Additionally, the National Weather Service warned that the risk of rip currents will increase Thursday and Friday as the swells of Hurricane Fiona arrive along the coast. While forecasters expect the storm to travel outside of New Jersey's vicinity, the rip currents could create dangerous situations now that most of the state's beaches are unguarded.

The autumnal equinox will occur at 9:03 p.m. Thursday.

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

• Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers likely between noon and 3 p.m. Temperature rising to near 73 by 11 a.m., then falling to around 64 during the remainder of the day. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Friday night: Clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

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

• Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. High near 77. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind around 10 mph.