Storm Expected To Bring Heavy Rain, Winds To NJ: See Latest Track, Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Forecasters are continuing to monitor a potential tropical threat which could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to states along the East Coast, as the weekend in New Jersey looks set for wet weather.

A tropical depression and/or tropical storm could form along the southeast U.S. coast from Friday to Saturday, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service and AccuWeather. A stalled weather pattern could allow for the system to form, AccuWeather explained.

"Stalled fronts along the southeastern coast of the United States are one way a 'homebrew' tropical system can form," said AccuWeather’s Chief On-Air Meteorologist, Bernie Rayno.

AccuWeather also said there is a possibility that storms rolling in from the Midwest could pull in moisture from the developing Atlantic system, enhancing the rainfall.

The bulk of the rain will spread south to north “by late Friday evening through the overnight,” National Weather Service forecasters said. The showers will linger through the day Saturday, and could be heavy at times.

“Winds will remain strong out of the northeast as well with the continuing potential for gusts of 40+ mph along the coast and 30+ mph inland,” NWS forecasters added.

Most of central and southern New Jersey “will see at least 1 to 2 inches of rain over a 24 to 36 hour period,” forecasters said, adding that “these numbers could end up being conservative as there are indications with some of the guidance that some areas could see 2- 4 inches of rain.”

Here's an extended forecast for New Jersey from the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 48. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Calm wind.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Calm wind.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Rain, mainly after 2am. Low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. High near 71. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.