NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Watch, 60-MPH Winds In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Forecasters are monitoring the chance for severe storms on Wednesday afternoon and evening, and even through the week. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all New Jersey.

The National Weather Service has also issued a hazardous weather outlook across New Jersey, saying some of the storms could be severe and come with damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph and small hail. An isolated tornado is possible.

Here are the alerted areas:

The storms were expected to come as early as 2 p.m. – but the main threat was between 5 and 9 p.m. – and last through the evening. They'll be moving west to east.

Meanwhile, the oppressive heat continues, with temperatures feeling as hot as 100 with the heat index, especially between 2 and 5 p.m.

\Here is what the National Weather Service says we can expect:

• Damaging wind: Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph could damage trees and power lines and result in scattered power outages.
• Tornadoes: Isolated weak tornadoes possible.
• Hail: 1-inch hail could result in minor damage to motor vehicles.
• Heavy Rainfall: Localized flooding of urban and poor drainage areas is possible.

After storms move through New Jersey early Wednesday evening, they are likely to weaken somewhat after sunset as they move up into New England, according to AccuWeather. However, any storm can still produce heavy rain through late this evening.

As a cold front moves eastward on Thursday, the I-95 corridor will again have the potential of severe weather, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.