'Torrential' Rain, Flash Flooding, Thunderstorms In NJ Sunday Forecast

NEW JERSEY - Flash flooding, fierce winds and severe thunderstorms are all in the cards for New Jersey on Sunday, with multiple flash flood watches and warnings in effect throughout the state, forecasters said.

Torrential rainfall and severe thunderstorms are slated to begin around 1 p.m., with flash flooding, winds up to 70 mph and hourly rainfall rates of 2 inches or more possible.

“The primary threat with today's thunderstorms remains the heavy rainfall leading to areas of potentially significant flash flooding, especially along and NW of I-95,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said in a statement.

⚠️⛈️ The primary threat with today's thunderstorms remains the heavy rainfall leading to areas of potentially significant flash flooding, especially along and NW of I-95. Remain alert for any warnings issued today. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS! #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/cQfwZOedcb
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 9, 2023

As of Sunday at 12:30 p.m., 11 counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch, per the National Weather Service. The affected counties are:

• Burlington
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Hunterdon
• Mercer
• Middlesex
• Morris
• Salem
• Somerset
• Sussex
• Warren

18 counties are also under a flood watch, according to the weather service. Those counties are Ocean, southeastern Burlington, Atlantic, Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Union, Hudson, Cumberland and Cape May. Flash flooding, especially in “more urban locations,” are possible, the weather service said. Bergen and Passaic counties are under a flash flood warning.

“You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings,” the weather service said. “Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”

We are receiving reports of high water in parts of Delaware and Chester County. A gauge within the Flash Flood Warning reported 1 inch of rain in 15 minutes. Do not drive on flooded roadways! Turn around, don't drown! https://t.co/3KhlC0QSNm
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 9, 2023

“At 12:11 p.m.,, doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area,” the weather service said, referring to Bergen and Passaic counties. “Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 1.5 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The storm system is slated to exit the Garden State at around 10 p.m., forecasters said, with additional storms poised to hit the state on Monday and Tuesday.

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

North Jersey

Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 82. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

South Jersey

Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.