'Severe Thunderstorms' and Possible Flooding Predicted for Maplewood on Thursday

Watch out for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and possible flash flooding on Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, predicting a mélange of unpleasant and possibly dangerous conditions for Northeast New Jersey.

The last time the NWS issued a flood warning for the area on Sunday, May 31, the ensuing storm and flash flooding caused damage throughout Essex County. [See related Patch article]

NWS forecasters have also issued an Air Quality Alert for the area from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, stating that ground level ozone may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

The NWS weather alert coincides with temperatures that may reach into the high 80s on Friday and Saturday.

LOCAL FORECAST

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. West wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.