Thanksgiving Storm: Latest On Travel Forecast For NJ

NEW JERSEY — A storm system Tuesday will taper out by the afternoon, before an even stronger system hits the Garden State on Thursday, making for a wet Thanksgiving and poor travel conditions, according to the latest forecast.

Tuesday's rain will be light, only causing some wet roads, with nothing too severe in store.

The good news is that in between, Wednesday (which is also the busiest travel day of the year) will be dry, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain will cover New Jersey late Wednesday overnight into Thursday, likely after midnight, the National Weather Service said.

While previously forecasters thought some snow could mix in, they now say that this will likely be contained to extreme North Jersey (Sussex County) with rain everywhere else. This will be slushy as it will change to rain during Thanksgiving Day when temperatures warm.

"Overall, a damp and dreary day is in the cards with rain, occasionally becoming heavy at times," the National Weather Service said of Thanksgiving.

AccuWeather meteorologists say there's a chance the storm could strengthen further, making for a slippery commute for those traveling on Thanksgiving itself. Rain will be steady but occasionally heavy, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to close to the 60s depending on the area of the state.

Forecasters expect a half-inch to one inch of rain to fall, which will taper off in the late afternoon and evening.

This will usher in a dry, but cold and windy, Black Friday into the weekend.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain. High near 45. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Showers, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 60. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain, mainly before 4 p.m. High near 52. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 40. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.