WEATHER ALERT: Will Severe Thunderstorms Disrupt Manchester's Graduation? (expired)

Manchester Township School District officials are keeping an eye on the forecast, after a severe thunderstorm watch was issued by the National Weather Service for Tuesday.

The watch, which covers 13 counties, is in place from now until 7 p.m., the service says.

District officials are expected to make a decision sometime around noon on whether to move tonight’s graduation ceremonies indoors. 

The watch means showers and thunderstorms are likely and could bring damaging wind gusts and hail, in addition to rain, according to the service. There is a potential in some areas for a few tornadoes, though in New Jersey they are rare.

The counties covered under the watch are Ocean, Atlantic, Gloucester. Burlington, Monmouth, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Morris, Warren, Sussex and Camden.

In Toms River, showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. That may cool things down slightly after the temperature hits a high of 94 degrees. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Southwest wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent, the service says.

(Photo credit: Karen Wall)