NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Damaging Winds, Hail Possible

NEW JERSEY - Severe weather is expected to hit parts of New Jersey on Friday, bringing thunderstorms and damaging winds. Hail is also possible as the forecast could have an impact on the coronavirus response, and it could force some areas to delay testing and other services.

So far, the weather didn't appear to have an impact on those services and Gov. Phil Murphy said the Bergen Community College website was available for tests.

The worst of the weather is expected to hit later on Friday, and primarily impact North Jersey.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for North Jersey, saying thunderstorms could happen later Friday afternoon and evening and may be accompanied by damaging wind gusts and hail.

Here is the impacted area:

AccuWeather says the unsettled weather will dampen the region and keep it cooler than normal much of next week. The soggier stretch will kick off with a bang through Friday evening as severe thunderstorms will threaten portions of the Northeast, Accu-Weather says.

"Thunderstorms will erupt Friday afternoon ahead of a cold front across parts of Ohio, western Pennsylvania and upstate New York then charge east and southeastward into portions of New England, the lower Hudson Valley and central and northeastern Pennsylvania into the early evening hours," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said on its website.

Here is the forecast:

• Friday afternoon: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with hail and damaging winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 10 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.
• Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with hail and damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph.