Strong Storms, 50 MPH Winds To Slam NJ: Latest Forecast, Timing

NEW JERSEY — A major storm moving east across the country will slam New Jersey Wednesday, bringing with it 50 mph winds, heavy rainfall, isolated severe thunderstorms and possibly a tornado, according to the latest forecast.

Moderate to heavy rain moves in Wednesday afternoon into the early evening hours, National Weather Service forecasters said Tuesday. There may be a rumble of thunder or two here, but nothing severe yet.

"The line of thunderstorms rolling through the East Coast will be moving very quickly; thunderstorms are not expected to last all day, but those that do form could be quite impactful," said AccuWeatherMeteorologist Alex Duffus.

Following this will be a lull in activity before storms start up again. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has most of the state at a "marginal risk" (level 1/5) of severe storms, minus the extreme northern portion which is unlikely to see severe storms, and a small southern portion bordering Delaware, which is at a "slight risk" (level 2/5).

The greatest risk with these storms is damaging winds, which could get up to 50 mph along the coastline.

"The winds in association with the storm can become strong enough to cause widespread travel disruptions," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco. "They also can knock over trees and bring down power lines across the eastern two-thirds of the nation through Wednesday night."

"There also is a conditional tornado risk thanks to the abundance of speed shear, but is considerably the lesser of the two threats," National Weather Service forecasters said.

The state will see up to 1 inch of rainfall.

Here's the latest forecast.

North Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 40. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 p.m. High near 55. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 48.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. South wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. High near 58. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m., then a chance of showers. Low around 47. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 p.m. High near 59. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m., then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.