Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Barry Remnants In All 21 NJ Counties

A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all 21 New Jersey counties now that extremely hot weather and stormy remnants of Tropical Cyclone Barry are expected to impact New Jersey.

The watch is in effect until 10 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued several other alerts – a hazardous weather outlook, a flash flood watch and a heat advisory – since the heat index was supposed to hit 105 degrees on Wednesday.

The remnants of what was Tropical Cyclone Barry were expected to pass through the region on Wednesday night. The storms could produce damaging winds exceeding 40 mph.

Showers and thunderstorms were expected on Wednesday afternoon and evening that will be capable of producing torrential rainfall, with local amounts of 2 to 4 inches. Even higher localized amounts were expected to occur in a short period of time. Flash flooding was possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Here is when to expect the worst:

• The heat index was supposd to hit as high as 105 degrees between 2 and 3 p.m. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity were to combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors, the NWS says.
• Rain and thunderstorms were to start as early as 3 p.m. on Wednesday, but the bulk of them aren't supposed to take place until after 11 p.m. Most of the storms are expected for North and Central Jersey.

A number of events have been called off already, or public facilities have been closed. Here are a few:

• Air Conditioning Issue Closes Scotch Plains Library
• Howell Police Postpone Planned Ice Cream Social
• Predicted Hazardous Weather Postpones Warren's Summer Concert
• Paddle Day in Mahwah on Thursday is cancelled and rescheduled for August 1st at 5:30 p.m.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 10pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Areas of fog after 2am. Low around 74. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.