Severe Weather Returns To NJ Forecast: Latest Timeline For Storms Wednesday

NEW JERSEY — The potential for severe weather returns to the forecast for New Jersey mid-week as meteorologists are monitoring a system moving across the Great Lakes that is predicted to pass over New Jersey on Wednesday.

Areas from eastern Pennsylvania and much of New Jersey, eastern New York and southwestern and central New England will be at risk of the strongest storms Wednesday afternoon, AccuWeather reports.

The National Weather Service said there is a 80 percent chance of precipitation in New Jersey on Wednesday, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch. Higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

As for timing, The Weather Channel is predicting the storms will be mainly in the afternoon, with a clearing likely by the early evening. Wednesday's potential for storms follows rainfall Monday that was “much needed” in the region, according to the National Weather Service. Western portions of the state are "abnormally dry" according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report.

"Under the strong June sun during the late morning on Wednesday, rising warm air will race upward and cause clouds to rapidly build through the afternoon, growing into heavy showers and severe thunderstorms," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

Travelers flying into or out of Philadelphia, New York and Newark could encounter flight delays due to the threat of storms, AccuWeather warned.

Looking to the weekend, forecasters are watching weather models for the chance of more rain and storms.

Here is a look at the forecast through Thursday around New Jersey:

North Jersey

Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. High near 73. South wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday night
Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Low around 54. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind around 10 mph.

Thursday night
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Central Jersey

Wednesday
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 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
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday night
A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

South Jersey

Wednesday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 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. Mostly clear, with a low around 61. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday night
A slight chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.