New Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Forecasters issued more severe thunderstorm warnings in New Jersey on Monday afternoon, as storms capable of damaging winds, large hail, flooding, and lightning have arrived.

The newest warnings issued are in Bergen, Essex, and Passaic counties until 5 p.m.

"Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms," said the National Weather Service.

Burlington, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, and Sussex counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:30 p.m. Monday.

"Torrential rainfall" is occurring with this storm, said the NWS in their updates for the four northernmost counties on that list. Damage to trees and vehicles is possible with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, added the NWS.

Earlier in the afternoon, tornado warnings were triggered for Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset counties. The NWS has not yet said if it is investigating reports of wind damage in these areas.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place until 9 p.m. in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties, according to the National Weather Service.

The main event is expected to travel from west to east starting at 2 p.m., with the greatest severe thunderstorm and flooding potential to come after 4 p.m., the weather service said.

The possibility of damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph will be largest threats to people and property throughout the state, but residents should also be aware for flash flooding and isolated hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball as the storm moves through late Monday afternoon, said the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly.

"Widespread 1-2 inches of rain with localized amounts of 3-5 inches look possible given repeated storms," the NWS said on Monday morning.

A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for all 21 New Jersey counties due to possible flooding through Monday night. While south of I-95 is at an “enhanced” risk of numerous severe and persistent storms, the northern region is slated to see possible scattered, short-lived or not widespread storms.

AccuWeather added that the storm producing this severe weather will take several days to move through the northeast. Wet weather with scattered storms is expected to linger in the state until at least mid-week, when the daily threat of thunderstorms lowers to around 50 percent from Thursday to Sunday.

"While an all-out washout is not expected every day across the Northeast, the moist conditions will favor a couple of heavier downpours," AccuWeather said. "Heavier rainfall may cause ponding on roadways and reduced visibility, both of which would certainly slow travel for motorists in the region."

Here is the latest forecast around the state, through Thursday:

North Jersey

Monday afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 67. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Low around 67. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers likely between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Thursday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

South Jersey

Monday afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog between 1am and 2am. Low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.