NJ Weather: Statewide Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

A statewide severe thunderstorm watch was declared Friday as the worst weather of the week is expected to hit New Jersey this afternoon and during the weekend.

These storms could produce potentially damaging winds and even hail, and could dampen your weekend plans and commute.

The watch, which is in effect until 10 p.m., says showers and thunderstorms that are expected to hit mainly Friday afternoon and night. The National Weather Service says the storms are expected to result in heavy rain that could produce poor drainage flooding and localized flash flooding.

Some thunderstorms will also be capable of producing strong winds. Power outages and downed trees are possible.

The Friday evening rush hour could be slower than normal for people commuting home or heading to a weekend vacation destination in Harrisburg, Allentown and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, D,C; Baltimore; Newark, New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware; Albany, New York; and Rutland, Vermont., according to AccuWeather

While the storm system responsible for threatening the region with severe weather will move along rather quickly on Friday afternoon and evening, it may add insult to injury in areas still dealing with high water, road closures and uprooted trees from the deluge earlier in the week, according to AccuWeather.

The storms are expected to erupt on Friday afternoon right along or just east of the central Appalachians.
Into Friday evening, the storms will then progress eastward to parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and western New England, according to AccuWeather.

Damaging winds, hail and torrential downpours are expected to be the primary threats along this corridor.
Since the ground is saturated and limbs are loaded with moisture, even a moderate gust of wind can bring some shallow-rooted and diseased trees down, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said in a release.

Trees can land on homes and power lines, which can start fires and cause the power to go out in some communities, according to AccuWeather. Drivers will need to be prepared to turn around and find an alternate route if high water is encountered. It’s impossible to tell how high the water is, how fast it is moving and if the roadway underneath has been compromised.

Storms may hold off until after evening rush hour in New York City, according to AccuWeather.

Storms may be past their peak when they reach Boston; Portland, Maine; Providence, Rhode Island; and Atlantic City, New Jersey, according to AccuWeather. “Motorists and pedestrians are urged to not linger under trees as the storms approach, not only from the threat of wind, but also the risk of a lightning strike,” Sosnowski said.

Here is the forecast:

• Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8am and 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tom Davis photo