NJ Weather: Thunderstorms, 70-MPH Winds Expected (UPDATE)

NEW JERSEY - Severe weather is expected to hit New Jersey on Monday, bringing thunderstorms, 70-mph winds and a possible tornado. Large hail is also possible as the forcecast was already having an impact on the coronavirus response, forcing some areas to delay testing and other services.

Forecasters expressed concern that the weather could impact testing and triage units amid the coronavirus outbreak. Some counties, such as Ocean and Morris, have even delayed testing until Tuesday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Gov. Phil Murphy also sought to warn residents of the bad weather and its potential impact on the outbreak:

The worst of the weather is expected to hit later on Monday morning. A high-wind advisory has also been issued. Here is what to expect:

• South winds hitting 30 to 40 mph, with 60- to 70-mph gusts, are expected on Monday.
• The wind advisory will last from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.
• Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected.

Here were the alerted areas:

Storms will persist through the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast and the Eastern Seaboard into Monday, according to AccuWeather. Although an isolated tornado or two is possible, the more widespread threats are expected to be hail and damaging winds, according to AccuWeather.

Most thunderstorms are expected to weaken or push off-shore by early in the afternoon on Monday, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 71. Windy, with a south wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
• Tuesday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.