NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Watch Issued In NJ

NEW JERSEY — A severe thunderstorm watch was issued across New Jersey now that severe weather is expected Wednesday afternoon, bringing hail and possibly damaging 60 mph winds across the Garden State.

The weather already has impacted some vaccine sites and caused cancellations. Read more: New Bridge Vaccine Center Closing Early As Storms Expected

The severe thunderstorm watch will be in effect until 6 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for several counties during the early afternoon.

Here is what to expect:

• Severe thunderstorms were arriving in northwestern New Jersey around 1 p.m., moving east at 35 mph.
• 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail were expected.
• Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, siding, trees and power lines is possible.

Some towns were preparing for the worst. Read more: Hoboken Prepares As County Sends Alert About 'Heavy Downpour'

The severe thunderstorms were expected to arrive between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Hail, 60 mph winds and power outages are possible.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of New Jersey as a strong cold front also moves across the area. The primary threat will be damaging winds, the NWS says.

AccuWeather reports the storm's most significant threat to the region is dangerous lightning. The weather service's predictions were more severe, saying damaging 70 mph wind gusts were expected. An isolated tornado is possible, too.

Some of the storms could bring small hail, as well as torrential downpours that could lead to ponding on roadways and in areas with poor drainage, particularly along the Interstate 95 corridor.

"The collision with the warm air lingering along the East Coast early on Wednesday and the fresh push of cold Arctic air, will help create an unstable enough environment for thunderstorms on Wednesday," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Paul Walker.

This clash of air masses is likely to lead to severe thunderstorms erupting across southern New England and the Hudson Valley of New York southward through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Maryland, and the I-95 corridor on eastward in Virginia and northeastern North Carolinas, according to AccuWeather.

Some feisty storms may start up on the western edge of this region late Wednesday morning, but the most widespread severe weather is expected during the afternoon and early evening, according to AccuWeather. The most significant threat to the region is likely to be "dangerous lightning and damaging wind gusts as high as 70 mph," said Walker.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. High near 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible, except for higher amounts in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Kara Seymour contributed to this story.