Severe NJ Weather Possible As Voters Go To Polls On Election Day

When you head to the polls on Tuesday, you may need more than an umbrella. Severe weather in the form of a "potent" storm is expected to hit certain areas of New Jersey.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire state, saying a period of heavy rain is possible on Monday that could lead to localized flooding.

Then, on Tuesday, more heavy rain is expected and there is a risk for severe storms, according to the National Weather Service and AccuWeather. The primary threats on Tuesday are strong winds.

Most of the rain is expected for mid-day Monday and early afternoon on Tuesday when pockets of downpours develop over the mid-Atlantic and southern New England, according to an AccuWeather release. Travel delays may transpire.

"Gusty onshore winds may also lead to minor flooding in areas prone to coastal flooding around high tide on Monday in New Jersey and Long Island," Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said in the release.

Many more disruptions to travel can unfold on Tuesday as a potent storm races into the Northeast with a band of rain, gusty winds and potentially severe thunderstorms, according to the release.

Winds are expected to increase across most of the Northeast on Tuesday as the line of downpours and thunderstorms advances to the I-95 corridor, according to the release.

"It appears that the heaviest of the rain and thunderstorms may coincide with Tuesday afternoon for the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C. (and New Jersey) to New York City," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said in the release.

There can be a brief period in some communities when the winds are strong enough to cause power outages and tree damage, according to AccuWeather. Trash cans and other outdoor decorations can easily be tossed around and damaged. Any power outages can disrupt voters at polling stations in buildings without generators.

Here is the forecast:

• Monday: Showers. High near 58. East wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Tuesday night: Patchy drizzle and fog with a chance of showers before 4am, then patchy drizzle after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 69. Light and variable wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday night: A chance of showers before 1am. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. West wind 8 to 10 mph.

Tom Davis photos