NJ Weather: Hazardous Weather Outlook For First Summer Weekend

UPDATE: The hazardous weather outlook expanded into North Jersey on Saturday since thunderstorms may be severe, with the primary threat of damaging winds. Heavy rain leading to flooding in poor drainage areas and small hail are also possible.

Here are the alerted areas:

A nasty weekend is expected for the first weekend of summer, with severe weather possibly creating a lot of problems for drivers and potential beachgoers in New Jersey.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for most of New Jersey, particularly in South Jersey, Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore. Thunderstorms are expected Saturday afternoon and evening and could produce strong winds and torrential downpours, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm is expected to crawl through New Jersey during the first weekend of summer with rounds of drenching showers and thunderstorms, according to an AccuWeather release.

See the timeline and the weather forecast below.

While rain was expected to be light in most areas, some periods of moderate to heavy rain are possible. Rainfall amounts will generally be around a 10th of an inch or less, with localized amounts around one quarter to one half-of-an-inch in heavier showers.

You can keep track of the weather at various beaches along the Jersey Shore by clicking here: WATCH LIVE: Hazardous Weather Outlook At Jersey Shore: NJ Weather.

"June is a popular time for graduations and weddings, but the weather may not cooperate with these plans, other outdoor activities and travel this weekend," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said in the release.

Saturday is likely to be the wettest of the two weekend days for New Jersey, with the steadiest rain extending from central New York state and central Pennsylvania eastward to the upper New Jersey coast, southeastern New York state and western New England, according to AccuWeather.

On Saturday, the best chance of locally heavy thunderstorms and perhaps the greatest risk of flash and urban-style flooding is likely to be from western Pennsylvania to West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and southern New Jersey, according to AccuWeather.

On Sunday, the main storm will produce less rain in the morning and it may also allow the sun to break out in a number of locations, while some showers and storms can erupt during the afternoon and evening, according to AccuWeather.

It is possible the bulk of the downpours occur north and west of Interstate 95 during the afternoon. Some of these storms may encroach on the coast toward evening, according to AccuWeather. Motorists are advised never to attempt to drive through flooded roads since the water may be much deeper than it appears and/or the road surface may have been washed away.

Here is the forecast:

• Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 9 to 17 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Tom Davis photo