Tropical Storm Elsa: What To Expect In New Jersey

ACROSS NEW JERSEY — Tropical Storm Elsa's path could bring plenty of wind and rain to New Jersey, forecasters warn. As it continues its march toward the state, weather experts urge residents to have a safety and preparedness plan in place and heed any advice from local officials. Elsa is the first major storm to develop during this Atlantic hurricane season.

Tropical Storm Watch Issued

The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for coastal areas of New Jersey ahead of Elsa's arrival. As of Wednesday evening, the watch includes Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May and Burlington Counties.

Tropical storm force winds will likely be felt Thursday night into Friday morning. However, it could happen as early as Thursday evening, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Elsa's Path

Tropical Storm Elsa made landfall along the west coast of Florida early Wednesday morning and is continuing to track northeast through Georgia into the Carolinas through Thursday morning.

As of Wednesday evening, Elsa is then expected to move across southern Delaware and eastern New Jersey late Thursday night into Friday morning.

She'll continue to accelerate and move northeast, away from New Jersey late Friday morning, according to forecasters.

The Main Threats: Heavy Rain, Flooding And Rip Currents

Weather experts said the main threats with this storm system are heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding, some river flooding, as well as tropical storm force winds — especially near the coast. In addition, dangerous marine conditions will occur, along with the potential for dangerous
rip currents.

The current forecast calls for two to four inches of rainfall Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. Heavy rainfall will result in a threat of localized flash flooding. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected to develop along the Delaware Bay waters south of Slaughter Beach and along the Atlantic Coastal Waters for all of Delaware and up towards Sandy Hook, NJ.

Tropical storm force winds will be most likely across the waters with seas building to 6 to 9 feet over the waters. Dangerous rip currents will likely occur along the ocean beaches of New Jersey, the National Weather Service reports.

In addition to the threat of heavy rain, flooding and rip currents, there is a low threat for tornadoes with Elsa. According to the National Weather Service, it will ultimately depend on the exact track of the storm. If it tracks farther inland, the tornado threat may be slightly higher. If a tornado warning is issued, weather experts urge people to be ready to shelter quickly.

Flash Flood Watch

In other portions of the state, a flash flood watch has been issued and takes affect Thursday at 5 p.m. until 12 p.m. Friday. The 14 counties included in that watch as of Wednesday evening are: Atlantic, Cape May, Camden, Ocean, Cumberland, Monmouth, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Burlington, Salem and Somerset.

As Tropical Storm Elsa moves across portions of New Jersey on Thursday night, rainfall totals across New Jersey are expected to range from two to three inches, with locally higher amounts of up to five inches possible. Further west of the I-95 corridor, resident could see one to two inches, with locally higher amounts up to three inches possible.

Heavy rain in short periods of time will cause the potential for streams and creeks to quickly rise out of their banks as well as the potential for flash flooding in urban areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Keep Track Of The Weather

To view the latest 7-day forecast for your New Jersey community, click here.