Major Weekend Storm Could Bring Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds To NJ

NEW JERSEY — Heavy rain, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms may disrupt weekend plans in New Jersey as a "rare" December storm system makes its way to the east coast.

Friday will be a milder day with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees and sunny skies. Fog and clouds will begin to roll in on Saturday before the "massive weekend storm" brings disruptive conditions to the area.

"Clouds will be more common Saturday before a powerful storm system brings heavy rain and strong winds late Sunday into Sunday night," according to US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly.

Disruptive conditions are expected to impact the eastern half of the United States, including an estimated 180 million people, according to AccuWeather.

"The storm will strengthen, but that process will be delayed until it advances from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic coast, where it can pack a punch," AccuWeather Meteorologist Joseph Bauer said.

While Central states are expected to get some snow, it is unlikely New Jersey will see any. Instead, residents will want to pack an umbrella.

"At the very least, a period of heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunder and lightning in some cases, will shift eastward from the Florida Panhandle to Ohio, western Pennsylvania and western New York during Saturday night to an area spreading from northeastern Florida to eastern New York during the day Sunday," according to Accuweather.

So when will rain fall? Forecasters say wet weather is expected after 10 a.m. on Sunday and it will come down heavy.

Rain is expected to pour down at the rate of 0.50 of an inch to 1 inch per hour at times for several hours, forecasters warn.

"Heavy rainfall will accompany the frontal passage and can cause flooding on streets and highways along with reduced visibility," AccuWeather Meteorologist Grady Gilman said, adding, "Significant ground and air travel delays are likely as the heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms come together in the East from Sunday to Sunday night."

If the rain wasn't bad enough, strong winds will also pack a punch in New Jersey.

"High winds in the lower part of the atmosphere may be dragged down to ground and sea surface level in the form of powerful gusts ranging from 40-60 mph along the Interstate-95 zone from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night," AccuWeather Meteorologist Grady Gilman said.

Stronger wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph are most likely along the New England coast and in eastern Long Island, New York.

Some wind gusts could even hit 85 mph bringing the potential for tree damage, power outages, and even flooding for beach communities.

Here's a look at the upcoming forecast:

North Jersey

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Rain, mainly after 10 a.m. High near 59. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 39. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Central Jersey

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 p.m. High near 63. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 41. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

South Jersey

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 62. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 41. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.