NJ Weather Forecast: Stormy Weekend Start As Parkway Lanes Close

Thunderstorms, gusty winds and traffic on the Garden State Parkway: Sound familiar? Because that's what you're probably going to get this weekend, starting Friday – a taste of summer, but not in a good way.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast as a number of people may take advantage of the warmer temperatures and enjoy a weekend at the Jersey Shore. Only they're going to run into some trouble on the way there.

Two of three northbound local lanes Garden State Parkway lanes will close in Middletown beginning Friday while repairs are made to a bridge that was damaged in a recent crash.

This will happen as drivers and potential beachgoers – yeah, there will be a few of them – battle thunderstorms, possible hail, gusty winds and continued rain on Friday and Saturday.

The road closure, meanwhile, will be on the Parkway over Middletown-Lincroft Road from 10 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday as permanent repairs are made to a bridge damaged in an accident in November. The bridge is located between Exits 109 and 114 at milepost 112.1.

Read more: 2 Northbound Parkway Lanes To Close In Middletown April 27

The impact of this work on northbound Parkway traffic through the area could be "severe," especially on Friday, according to a New Jersey Turnpike Authority release. Motorists who plan to travel north through the area are advised to allow extra time and to consider alternate routes.

Friday is expected to be the worst weather day, too, and could make for some hazardous travel as drivers try to navigate down the Parkway that will be limited to one local lane and two express lanes.

Two steel beams beneath the bridge were severely damaged on Nov. 2, 2017, when they were struck by a backhoe being towed on a trailer traveling beneath the Parkway on Middletown-Lincroft Road. One lane of the northbound Parkway had to be closed after the collision, and it remained closed for two days while temporary steel beams were installed.

Construction crews will be working around the clock through the weekend in order to complete the permanent repairs and reopen the lanes before the Monday morning rush.

To check on travel conditions on the Parkway through the weekend, call 511 from a hands-free mobile device or download the SafeTripNJ smartphone app. Live traffic camera views of the roadway are available under the Travel Tools tab on the Authority’s website, www.njta.com.

Middletown-Lincroft Road will be closed through the weekend to accommodate the construction activities.

Here is the forecast:

• Friday: Showers. High near 56. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday night: Showers likely, mainly before 7pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday: Scattered showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind around 11 mph.

Photo by Ramsey Auto Group