UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Moving Into Monmouth County

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m.: The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement about 6:15 p.m., warning that a line of strong thunderstorms extending from the New York-New Jersey border to Turnersville in southern New Jersey was moving east.

The storm is ”moving east at 35 mph with wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail possible,” according to the alert, along with very heavy rainfall.”

PREVIOUSLY:

If you have plans Friday night to be outside -- especially if you’re going to a high school football game -- you might want to bring your rain gear ... and be prepared to take shelter.

The National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office has issued a hazardous weather outlook statement for the region Friday afternoon, saying thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible in the evening.

The most recent forecast is calling for a chance of showers before 3 p.m., a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3 and 4, and then showers likely and thunderstorms possible after 4 p.m.

“Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain,” the service said. “Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.”

The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mostly clear and sunny both days.

As a result of the forecast, a few Shore Conference football games have been changed.

Manchester Township, which hosts St. John Vianney tonight, is playing at 5 p.m. instead of 7.

Donovan Catholic, which plays at Jackson Liberty this week, has been moved to a noon start on Saturday.

And the Pinelands Regional game in Little Egg Harbor against Monmouth Regional has been moved up to a 6 p.m. start.

All other games are taking place as scheduled, as of 3 p.m.

The updated schedule, according to APP.com:

Friday

• SJ Vianney at Manchester, 5 p.m.
• Monmouth at Pinelands, 6 p.m.
• TR East at Freehold Twp., 6:30 p.m.
• Lacey at Manalapan, 7 p.m.
• Howell at Midd. South, 7 p.m.
• Ocean at Midd. North, 7 p.m.
• SJ Vianney at Manchester, 7 p.m.
• Long Branch at Rumson-FH, 7 p.m.
• Red Bank at Raritan, 7 p.m.
• Brick at Wall, 7 p.m.
• Jackson Mem. at TR North, 7 p.m.
• Point Boro at Central, 7 p.m.
• Old Bridge at Brick Memorial, 7 p.m.
• Dunellen at Point Beach, 7 p.m.
• Matawan at Colonia, 7 p.m.

Saturday

• RB Catholic at Colts Neck, noon
• Highland Park at Keyport, noon
• Donovan Cath. at Jackson Liberty, noon
• Barnegat at Manasquan, 1 p.m.
• Freehold at Marlboro, 1 p.m.
• South River at Mater Dei, 1 p.m.
• Metuchen at Keansburg, 1 p.m.
• Holmdel at Spotswood, 1 p.m.