Tornado Watch Possible As 'Damaging' New Jersey Storm Threat Escalates: NWS

A statewide tornado watch is possible as a severe, damaging storm threat in New Jersey continued to escalate on Sunday, with the potential of up-to-65-mph winds arriving.

The National Weather Service issued a "Severe Thunderstorm Watch" around 4 p.m. Sunday for all New Jersey counties, a warning that was set to expire at 10 p.m.

Patrick O'Hara, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the storms should impact the state around "dinner time," accompanied by hail and damaging winds.

O'Hara said the NWS would likely put out a "Tornado Watch" if the threat continues to exist.

"It's possible anywhere in the state," he said.

According to forecasters:

• The greatest threat for strong-to-severe storms will exist from 4 to 9 p.m.
• A more discrete storm will form ahead of the main storm
• Then, a line of heavy showers and storms ahead of a cold front will form.
• Damaging winds at 45 to 65 mph are likely, and could cause downed trees and power lines.
• The threat for locally heavy downpours could cause mainly poor drainage/roadway flooding, small-medium sized hail and perhaps tornados.

Here is the updated forecast:

Sunday afternoon: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 3 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Low around 65. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.