Parts Of NJ To Get 6+ Inches Of Rain As Ophelia Returns To Forecast: See Latest

NEW JERSEY — Prepare your umbrellas and brace for more potential flooding in parts of New Jersey overnight Thursday and throughout the day Friday, as forecasters now estimate 6 to 8 inches of rain could fall in northern parts of the state.

The entire state is under a flood watch, a coastal flood advisory, or both as forecasters said the former Tropical Storm Ophelia will again bring dreary conditions to the region.

"The heaviest rain looks to arrive sometime after midnight, peaking during the late morning," the National Weather Service said. "Periods of heavy rain could continue into the evening, before tapering off (Friday) night."

Another 2 to 4 inches of rain is possible in northern and central New Jersey, with those localized amounts between 6 and 8 inches in northwestern parts of the state, forecasters said.

Rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour or more are possible at times, forecasters added as they warn of more localized flash flooding along local waterways and in low-lying communities.

"Residents and visitors are advised to remain weather aware and never drive through flooded roadways," said the Storm Prediction Center in their forecast discussion.

The greatest risk for flash flooding will be in communities near New York City, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Forecasters said that the potentially heavy rainfall here could quickly flood urban areas, and there is a moderate risk of excessive rainfall in northwestern New Jersey. That means numerous flash floods are likely, and many streams may flood, according to the National Weather Service.

There will be a slight risk of excessive rainfall the remainder of northern New Jersey and parts of Central Jersey, including northern Jersey Shore communities. The rest of the state is under a marginal risk of excessive rainfall, and South Jersey may have totals between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, the following New Jersey counties are under a flood watch:

• Ocean
• Monmouth
• Hunterdon
• Middlesex
• Burlington
• Morris
• Somerset
• Warren
• Mercer
• Sussex
• Bergen
• Essex
• Passaic
• Hudson
• Union

The following New Jersey counties are under a coastal flood advisory, as of 4 p.m. Thursday:

• Essex
• Hudson
• Union
• Atlantic
• Cape May
• Cumberland
• Middlesex
• Ocean
• Burlington
• Monmouth
• Salem
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Burlington
• Salem

And, there is a risk of dangerous rip currents for swimmers in coastal Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, and Monmouth counties, per the National Weather Service.

Click here to view all National Weather Service advisories in New Jersey.

Ophelia is expected to head northeastward Thursday night, and spread rain back in the region Friday - especially in coastal areas of the United States.

Rain showers are expected to begin in the pre-dawn hours Friday morning and will become "moderate to heavy at times through Friday night." River flooding concerns could linger into the weekend, the NWS added.

The showers and storms are expected to taper off Friday night.

“This system will move east of the area slowly on Saturday, with high pressure regaining full control Sunday into early next week,” the NWS said.

Here is a look at the forecast through Friday from the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Thursday Afternoon: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. East wind around 8 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 2am, then rain likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 61. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Central Jersey

Thursday Afternoon: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 58. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 64. Northeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

South Jersey

Thursday Afternoon:A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 58. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.