NJ Weather: 60 MPH Winds, Thunderstorms And Even Snow Possible

A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect in New Jersey as the region is set to deal with stormy weather, particularly 60-mph wind gusts and thunderstorms. Power outages could be a problem in areas that most impacted by the severe weather.

Snow, meanwhile, could eventually come on Saturday and Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire state and a high-wind advisory. The severe thunderstorm warning (in orange) is in effect until 1:30 p.m. for portions of Central and South Jersey as well as the Jersey Shore:

Here is what to expect:

• WINDS: Winds will generally be 15 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph Wednesday afternoon.
• TIMING: Dense fog will continue Wednesday morning with conditions expected to gradually improve late morning. Southwest winds will increase this morning, then quickly shift to the west- northwest as a strong cold front crosses the area late in the morning into the early afternoon.
• STORMS: A line of showers with embedded thunderstorms will move through with the front, and this could bring localized wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Following the passage of the cold front, widespread west- northwest winds gusting 45 to 60 mph will occur through the afternoon before diminishing in the early evening.
• IMPACTS: Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Numerous power outages can be expected. Travel will be difficult with the strong wind gusts, especially for high profile vehicles. Limited visibilities will make travel very difficult early this morning.

After that, there is anywhere between a 40 and 60 percent chance of snow happening over the weekend, according to the NWS. Most of the snow will be in the central and northern areas of the state, but that could change depending on the track.

At least an inch is expected to accumulate on Saturday morning and into the night, and there could be snow impacting the Monday commute.

With each passing week, the risk of accumulating snow on the roads during the daytime diminishes. For there to be slippery conditions during the middle of the day, it must snow very hard, according to AccuWeather. However, where it snows at night or early in the morning, when road surfaces are cold, an accumulation can take place on highways, streets, parking lots and sidewalks.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms before 3pm, then a chance of showers. Areas of dense fog before 10am. High near 62. Breezy, with a light and variable wind becoming west 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Thursday night: A chance of rain after 2am, mixing with snow after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 7 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
• Friday night: A chance of rain before 5am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
• Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tom Davis photo