Tropical Storm Elsa In Jersey City: Forecast, What To Know

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City is warning residents to get ready for the incoming Tropical Storm Elsa (see the track with this National Hurricane Center map), which is expected to sweep into North Jersey Thursday afternoon around 3 p.m. and bring rains and wind overnight.

North Jersey — particularly the Newark region — is under a flash flood watch from Thursday at 9:38 a.m. through Friday at noon, according to the National Weather Service. Flash flooding is sudden and has proved fatal, particularly for those who got caught in flooded roadways or near a body of water that overflowed.

The National Weather Service said this about North Jersey:

"Showers and thunderstorms through this evening will bring periods of heavy rainfall. 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible. Thereafter, heavy rainfall ahead of tropical system Elsa will move into portions of the Tri-State area late tonight, with periods of heavy rainfall possible through Friday morning. Total rainfall from this morning throughFriday is expected to range mostly 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible."

"A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation."

>>Tropical Storm Elsa In NJ: Flash Flood Watch, Severe Storms<<

When Will The Rain Arrive?

Forecasters expect heavy rain to start around 3 p.m.

Here is the forecast for the regional around Newark:

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 72. West wind 8 to 11 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 87. North wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

How to Stay in The Loop

Keep up to date on the storm and any emergencies that occur in the city with AlertJC notifications. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. Please report power outages and downed wires to PSEG.

Patch reporter Caren Lissner contributed to this story.