Thunderstorms, 25 MPH Winds, Flooding: NJ Storm Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Buckle up, New Jersey: this week is set to kick off with a bang with thunderstorms, damaging winds and localized flooding all possible on Monday, forecasters said.

The morning commute will begin with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the high 70s, with temperatures set to rise to the 90-degree mark by midday, the National Weather Service said. Severe weather is on tap to slam the state starting around 4 until 10 p.m., with locally damaging strong winds up to 25 mph and fierce storms expected.

All of New Jersey is under a “severe” outlook, save for parts of Atlantic and Cape May counties as of Monday morning.

“It will be increasingly hot this week along with humid conditions, however first there is the potential for some strong to severe thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening,” the agency tweeted Monday morning. “Stay weather aware, particularly later today and this evening.”

Flooding is also possible during and after Monday’s storms, especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near vulnerable small creeks and streams, the National Weather Service added. As of Monday morning, flooding has already affected traffic in Randolph, Newton and Newark, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

More showers are anticipated between midnight and 2 a.m. into Tuesday, forecasters said, although skies should clear by daybreak. The silver lining: Tuesday should see mostly sunny skies with temperatures around 90 degrees.

Here’s the latest forecast, per the National Weather Service:

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a chance of showers between midnight and 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.