Strong Thunderstorms, Flash Flood Watch, Oppressive Heat In Thursday Forecast For N.J.

It's not going to be a great day weather-wise on many levels today in New Jersey.

First, the region will remain under crippling heat.

But now, let's add some strong thunderstorms with heavy rain and a flash flood watch to the mix. Oh, and to add insult to injury, an air quality alert is also in effect in parts of North Jersey.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch beginning at noon for much of New Jersey because afternoon storms could produce excessive rain.

The following New Jersey counties are under the flash flood watch: Morris, Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Union, Bergen and Monmouth. The watch goes through 6 p.m.

Thunderstorms with "heavy rain" are expected to move into the region in the p.m. hours and could dump as much as 2 inches of rain on New Jersey in a "short period of time," according to the National Weather Service. Some areas may get even more than 2 inches today.

As a result, residents should watch out for flash flooding. "Roadway flooding is possible along with flooding of small streams and areas of poor drainage," the watch says.

Never drive through floodwaters, the NWS warns. And if you live in a flood-prone area, be prepared to take action if the flash flood watch is upgraded to a warning.

Regarding the air quality alert: a Code Orange air quality alert is in place in North Jersey, including the following counties: Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Union and Somerset.

A Code Orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for some people, including the elderly, children and people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases. People in those groups should avoid too much outside activity.

Here is the forecast:

Today: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Light southwest wind becoming west 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.