Update: Tornado Warning Issued For Parts Of New Jersey

NEW JERSEY - A tornado warning is in effect for Mercer, Ocean, Monmouth and Burlington counties. Around 5 p.m., a severe thunderstorm "capable of producing a tornado" was reported near Trenton moving at about 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials said that tree damage from the storm is likely and residents are advised to take cover in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and take care to avoid windows.

A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued across most of the Garden State and neighboring states, bringing with it possible heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and flash flooding. Waterspouts and small hail are also possible.

Earlier today, the National Weather Service noted that widespread thunderstorms with dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning are likely to strike central and south New Jersey, especially after 1 p.m. Rainfall amounts between three quarters and an inch are possible, with flash flooding and lightning risks also possible in the northern part of the state, as well as damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines.

The silver lining: expect temperatures near the low-80s with a low of 67 heading into the evening, a break from the near record-breaking temperatures that the Garden State saw earlier this week.

“Showers and thunderstorms are moving into the area. A stronger line of thunderstorms is forecast to develop later on this afternoon, similarly to what this forecast animation depicts. These storms may be severe with damaging winds being the main threat,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly Station noted Thursday via Twitter.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA until 8 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/kS1av5VgY4
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 1, 2021

As of 2 p.m., the National Weather Service has also issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal and outer waters from Sandy Hook to Little Egg Inlet until 2:30 p.m. A "severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts" was located over Ocean Gate as of 1:30 p.m. moving east at 30 knots, the service said.

Impacted locations include Ocean Gate, Sea Girt Reef, Leonardo, Atlantic Highlands, Barnegat Light Reef, Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, Axel Carlson Reef, Silverton, Forked River, Fair Haven, Lavallette, Shark River Reef, Point Pleasant Beach, Belmar, Seaside Park, Manasquan Inlet, Pine Beach and Sandy Hook Reef.

Special Marine Warning including the Waters from Manasquan Inlet NJ to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 to 40 nm, Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm and Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm until 2:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/t3B9Gzg64T
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 1, 2021

A flash flood watch has been issued for most of the state from Morristown to Wilmington until Friday morning, with the National Weather Service warning that rain rates of two inches per hour are possible during several rounds of storms this afternoon. New rainfall amounts between one and two inches are possible into the evening.

“Widespread total rain amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with locally higher amounts possible,” the agency said.

"You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued."

The National Weather Service also issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook throughout most of the state. “Several instances of flooding are possible” on Thursday heading into the afternoon, “especially in urban and poor-drainage areas and near vulnerable small creeks and streams,” according to the weather agency.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is issued when there is a potential for severe weather events. In the counties listed below, there is potential for severe thunderstorms and flooding through Thursday night:

• Sussex
• Warren
• Morris
• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Middlesex
• Monmouth
• Mercer
• Salem
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Cumberland
• Atlantic
• Cape May

A lightning risk has also been issued for most of the state, with the southern half at risk for "significant" cloud-to-ground lightning.

Here's how you can stay safe from lightning:

1. Lightning can strike miles away from an area where it is actually raining. You are within striking distance if you can hear thunder. Seek shelter immediately if you are within striking distance.
2. While inside, stay away from corded phones, computers and anything that can put you in direct contact with electricity.
3. Stay away from pools (indoor or outdoor), tubs, showers and other plumbing.
4. Wait 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder clap before going back outside.
5. There are about 25 million lightning flashes in the U.S. each year and lightning kills more than 50 people annually.

For more lightning safety tips, click here.

Here is the latest forecast:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 81. West wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

With reporting by Kara Seymour.