Nor'easter Conditions Possible On 5th Anniversary Of Sandy

Some unpleasant memories of the worst storm ever to hit New Jersey may surface on Sunday and Monday, the fifth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, when the state experiences some nor'easter-like conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued the following hazardous weather outlook for New Jersey:

A strong storm system will move through the area Sunday and Monday. There is potential for heavy rainfall which may lead to localized poor drainage flooding on Sunday. Strong winds are possible both Sunday and Monday.

In addition to a flood risk from leaves blocking storm drains, wind gusts from the south may be strong enough to break tree limbs and cause sporadic power outages, according to AccuWeather.

"A strong nor’easter will develop and track along the Eastern Seaboard and tap into tropical moisture and bring widespread heavy rain and the potential for hurricane force wind gusts from Florida to Maine," Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham says.

The National Weather Service is predicting maximum wind gusts of about 40 mph in New Jersey Sunday night. But they won't approach the damaging winds that marked Superstorm Sandy, which made landfall in Atlantic City at about 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2012 with winds of 80 mph. A full moon made high tides 20 percent higher than normal and amplified Sandy's storm surge.

Heavy rain, strong winds and the risk of flash and urban flooding will race northward through New Jersey on Sunday, and impact commuters on Monday morning.

AccuWeather image

Here is the forecast:

• Thursday Night- A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph.
• Friday- Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
• Friday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Light southwest wind.
• Saturday- Sunny, with a high near 68.
• Saturday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
• Sunday- A chance of showers before noon, then rain likely after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday Night- Rain, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
• Monday- A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy.
• Monday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Patch file photo