NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Watch In 19 NJ Counties

NEW JERSEY – A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect throughout the Jersey Shore and Central and South Jersey now that 60-mph winds and hail are expected beginning late Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service says damaging winds could cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors as well as damage homes and vehicles.

Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles, the NWS says.

Here are the alerted areas:

The heat is expected to return and New Jersey will have its first spate of summer-like temperatures this weekend, according to AccuWeather. But first, storms that will not be as strong as Thursday's, but will still bring plenty of moisture, are expected to impact most of New Jersey, according to AccuWeather.

The storms will be isolated and spotty but they could produce hail, AccuWeather says.

Here is the forecast:

• Friday afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m and 10 p.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.