Severe Thunderstorm Watch for N.J. Commute: Latest Timeline

The afternoon commute could be a a rough one, with the risk for severe thunderstorms.

Isolated damaging winds and large hail are possible, according to a National Weather Service "Hazardous Weather Outlook."

As of 5:30 p.m., that threat was upgraded to a "Severe Thunderstorm Watch" in most New Jersey counties as the storm began to pass through.

Here is the alert from the National Weather Service:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE TODAY...PARTICULARLY DURING THE AFTERNOON. THE MAIN SEVERE THREATS ARE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

Storms over waters may produce strong wind gusts and require special marine warnings.

Thunderstorms were moving through Ocean County and elsewhere Tuesday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, strong wind and the possibility of hail, according to the National Weather Service.

The line of strong storms extends several miles, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly office, and is moving east at about 40 mph.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday, the service said.

Wind gusts up to 40 m.p.h. are possible along with "pea-size" hail, lightning and heavy downpours.

Wind gusts are possible elsewhere in this storm, with sustained winds up to 15 mph and gusts as high as 22 mph.

The thunderstorm chances should stick around into the night, with winds continuing to gust as high as 20 mph. Storms will eventually move out, but rain chances linger until dawn.

The current storm timeline:

• 6-8 p.m.: Chance of rain and thunderstorms.
• 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.: Slight chance of rain and thunderstorms.
• 1-8 a.m.: Slight chance of rain.

Overall rainfall is expected to be 0.15 inches.

This is part of the same system causing severe weather in other parts of the country Tuesday, according to The Weather Channel.

Wednesday will be cloudy and much cooler, reaching a high in the lower 60s. Storm chances return Wednesday night. The cooler temps and the chance for wet weather is going to linger into the weekend.