Tornado Watch Issued In NJ As Another Round Of Severe Storms Expected

A tornado watch is in effect for most of New Jersey on Saturday as severe storms are expected to bring heavy rain, damaging winds and large hail to the state.

The National Weather Service said the tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday for the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

According to forecasters, several rounds of showers and thunderstorms were possible Saturday morning and will likely continue through the evening hours.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center placed that state at an Enhanced Risk (3 of 5) for severe weather, meaning severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds, flash flooding, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and large hail.

The risk of tornadoes is also "notably high," according to the NWS.

"The primary threats are damaging winds as well as
tornadoes, with potential for a stronger tornado, potentially as
strong as an EF2," the NWS wrote.

In addition to the severe potential, any thunderstorms on Saturday will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall with rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour possible. This could lead to flash flooding of urban and poorly drained areas, creeks, and streams.

A flash flood watch is also in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday for New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware.

Here's the latest weekend forecast for the state:

North Jersey

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy smoke. Steady temperature around 76. South wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 66. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Light northwest wind.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind.

Central Jersey

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Areas of smoke. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3am. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Patchy smoke before 8pm. Low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind.

South Jersey

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Areas of smoke. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.