NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Hail, 55-MPH Winds

NEW JERSEY – Severe storms are expected to hit New Jersey on Tuesday, bringing hail, 55-mph damaging winds and lightning to the Garden State. The weather has already impacted management of the coronavirus outbreak since several testing sites have postponed activities (see below).

A severe thunderstorm watch and warning were issued nearly across New Jersey after 1 p.m. Here are the alerted areas:

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook throughout the state, saying showers and thunderstorms will move through New Jersey on Tuesday after 12 noon in association with a cold front. Some of these storms could be severe and produce damaging winds and large hail, the NWS says.

Testing cancelations have already happened in at least three counties:

• Camden County Coronavirus Test Sites Closed Due To Weather
• Passaic County Coronavirus Testing Site Closed Tuesday

Testing has been viewed as the key to help manage and reduce the number of cases in New Jersey. The state's cases rose to 88,806 on Monday, and 4,377 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Locally damaging winds, with and without thunder and lightning, are most likely through eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland, New Jersey and southern New England, in the afternoon on Tuesday, according to AccuWeather. The fast-moving storms can sweep through and cause sudden, torrential downpours and winds strong enough to break tree limbs.

Widespread winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected from Lake Michigan to the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts, with gusts of 55 mph anticipated in the wake of the line of thunderstorms.

Winds of this magnitude may pose a problem for trucks, cause power outages, and even blow through outdoor tents set up for COVID-19 testing, according to AccuWeather. Trash cans and other unsecured objects can sail through neighborhoods and pose hazards for pedestrians and motorists, and the airborne objects can damage vehicle and break windows.

• Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. High near 64. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Wednesday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
• Thursday: Rain likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Rain. Low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.