NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, 60-MPH Winds Expected Thursday, Friday

NEW JERSEY – Severe storms are expected to impact New Jersey over the next three days that could pack 60-mph winds and cause damage and power outages. The storm predictions have already impacted the management of the coronavirus outbreak.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire state as well as a high-wind warning in Central and South Jersey, saying the region should expect gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, the NWS sats,

Widespread power outages will be possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, the NWS says.

The worst of the weather was expected to happen after 2 p.m. on Friday.

Gov. Phil Murphy could address the storm's impact on the cornavirus outbreak during his 3:30 p.m. press conference. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Coronavirus, Trump Update

Two county coronavirus testing sites have already canceled because of the weather, including Somerset County's Friday program. Read more: Somerset County Cancels Coronavirus Testing Friday Due To Weather

High winds caused the Union County new coronavirus drive-thru testing center to close early on Thursday. Read more: High Winds Close Union County Coronavirus Testing Center Early

Passaic County residents will be unable to get tested for the new coronavirus at William Paterson University on Thursday. Read more: Passaic Coronavirus Test Site To Close Thursday Amid Bad Weather

Here are the alerted areas:

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue into Thursday night, and then continue through Friday and into Saturday morning (see forecast below).

The storm system is expected to bring torrential rain and strong winds into Friday, according to AccuWeather. The setup may produce a "fire hose effect" with heavy rain being funneled through the region, according to the report.

"While widespread violent thunderstorms are not anticipated, we expect the storm to swing through the Northeast with heavy enough rain to cause flooding problems and strong enough winds to be of concern for sporadic power outages and fallen trees," AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Brian Wimer said in the report.

The storm will pivot through the central Appalachians and eastern Great Lakes through Thursday morning, then the mid-Atlantic coast and the Hudson Valley of New York during Thursday afternoon and night and finally New England during late Thursday night to Friday, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 54. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a 10th of an inch possible