NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Watch In NJ

NEW JERSEY – A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all 21 New Jersey counties on Tuesday since a system packing damaging winds is expected to hit the state, causing possible power outages. More severe weather is expected later in the week when remnants of Tropical Storm Laura are expected to hit the state.

Here are the alerted areas:

The National Weather Service has also issued a hazardous weather outlook, saying showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front are expected to move through New Jersey during the afternoon and early evening on Tuesday.

The thunderstorms could be severe, with the main threat being damaging winds. The worst of it is expected to be in Central and South Jersey, arriving mostly after 3 p.m.

The storms could cause problems for New Jersey as it tries to recover from the coronavirus pandemic by opening up its streets to outdoor dining.

Damaging winds, hail, flooding downpours and an isolated tornado or two could occur, according to AccuWeather. The clash of two air masses, with hot and steamy air to the south and cooler air to the north, will give the storms a boost in intensity, according to AccuWeather.

Straight-line winds up to 65 mph could snap tree branches and power lines, leaving some communities in the dark for a time, according to AccuWeather. The storms could reach the I-95 corridor during the late afternoon and early evening hours, putting any commuters at risk for lengthy travel times, according to AccuWeather.

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) meteorologists say they are closely monitoring the developing weather conditions. JCP&L is prepared to activate its storm response, officials said.

In the event outages occur, customers without power are encouraged to report their outage by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877); clicking the “Report Outage” link on www.firstenergycorp.com; or by texting out to 544487.

Customers should immediately report downed wires to 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or call their local police department. JCP&L reminds customers to stay away from downed wires, even if they believe they are no longer carrying electricity.

Motorists are cautioned to treat intersections with inoperable traffic signals as four-way stops.

Tropical Storm Laura, which was targeting the Gulf coast, was expected to then shift east and bring heavy rains and storms to New Jersey by Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 to 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
• Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.