NJ Weather: Hazardous Outlook Issued For Approaching Storm

Another drenching thunderstorm is heading New Jersey's way, forecasters say, and this one could have a big impact on travel and cause flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a statewide hazardous weather outlook, saying there is a potential for moderate to heavy rainfall on Friday and strong wind gusts exceeding 17 mph.

Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are currently in the forecast, but isolated higher amounts are possible. Flooding may develop, particularly in urban and poor drainage areas, if the localized heavier rainfall amounts occur, according to the National Weather Service.

The combination of drenching rain, a low cloud ceiling and gusty winds along the coast can lead to significant airline delays. Passengers should anticipate delays at the major hubs on Friday, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit, according to AccuWeather.

Small streams will swell, but the rain will be mostly a problem for fishing and other recreation interests, according to an AccuWeather release.

"Enough rain can fall to cause poor visibility and urban flooding for motorists around parts of the eastern Great Lakes, the mid-Atlantic and New England," according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.

Along the Interstate 95 corridor on Friday, the worst weather conditions for rush hour will be in the morning from Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., to Baltimore and Philadelphia, according to AccuWeather.

Read more: Stormy Weather In Long-Term N.J. Summer Forecast

Rain will be move in and become heavy in the New York City area from southwest to northeast during the morning and is likely to continue through evening rush hour, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service:

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 6 to 13 mph.
• Friday night: Rain likely, mainly after 3 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Friday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 65. East wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind 13 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Patch file photo