Tropical Storm Ophelia Forms: See Latest Timing, Impacts For NJ

NEW JERSEY — Widespread flooding with heavy rain, damaging wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, and even the chance of an isolated tornado hang in the balance for New Jersey this weekend as Tropical Storm Ophelia has formed in the Atlantic.

People living in coastal areas are at the greatest risk for storm impacts, but heavy rain from the storm will “spread well inland” and gusty winds are expected across the region, said forecasters.

Between two and three inches of rain are forecast for the entire state, with locally higher amounts along the Shore. And, the risk of dangerous rip currents and high seas returns for swimmers and boaters. Gale-force winds are expected with dangerous seas building up to 10-15 feet across all marine zones, from Friday night into Saturday night.

"People in coastal areas should take this storm seriously," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "This is going to be a nasty and formidable storm."

Click here to view all the current watches and warnings for New Jersey from the National Weather Service. And, view the graphic below from the NWS to see potential hazards, impacts, and timing for the storm this weekend in the Garden State:

A wedge of dry air may keep the heaviest rain confined to the southwest and southeast of New York City, but AccuWeather said rain is still expected to envelop the metro for a time on Saturday.

Ophelia could go inland in eastern North Carolina early Saturday and reach parts of the Mid-Atlantic Saturday and Sunday. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm brings threats of life-threatening storm surge, tropical-force winds, heavy rain and flooding.

“Steering breezes are likely to allow the storm to hug the mid-Atlantic coast or perhaps continue to move along to the north, just inland,” said AccuWeather forecasters.

Along the coast, tropical wind gusts could peak between 40 and 60 miles per hour. Through the rest of the state, gusts will peak at 30 mph with gusts up to 35 miles per hour south of Trenton. Gusts could result in downed trees and power lines, and possible power outages.

These strong gusty winds are forecast for late Friday night into Saturday, and forecasters said the winds will be accompanied by periods of rain. There is a low chance that a tornado will form at this time, forecasters said.

Heavy rain will move into the southern half of the region Friday night and spread northward by Saturday morning. Rain showers will continue into Sunday, and taper off Sunday night.

Here is the forecast through Sunday around New Jersey, from the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 56. Northeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 55. Northeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 60. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Central Jersey

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 64. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 58. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Jersey Shore

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 68. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. Windy, with a northeast wind 25 to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

South Jersey

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers before 9pm, then rain, mainly after 9pm. Low around 58. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 67. Breezy, with a northeast wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. Breezy, with a northeast wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then a chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.