Thunderstorms, 40-MPH Winds Possible In Central Jersey

NEW JERSEY – Thunderstorms – some of them possibly severe – and strong winds are expected to hit New Jersey this week, packing 40-mph gusts that could lead to power outages.

The National Weather Service says there's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms hitting after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, but there's an even stronger chance that a system will hit mid-day on Wednesday and then continue into the evening.

Winds as strong and fast as 40-mph are expected to hit mid-day Wednesday and could last until Thursday, the NWS says. The NWS says localized downpours could hit the area during the afternoon on Wednesday.

AccuWeather says the Wednesday system is part of a series of storms that could be severe in the Southeast. Storm hazards will include hail, flooding downpours, tornadoes and damaging, straight-line wind gusts, AccuWeather says.

Those with travel plans on the road and in the air across the Central, Eastern and Southern states can anticipate a slow-go amid the stormy pattern, according to AccuWeather.

The same piece of energy in the jet stream that sparked violent thunderstorms late Sunday in Mississippi is rolling northeastward, AccuWeather Meteorologist Nicole LoBiondo said in an AccuWeather release.

"That feature will weaken while moving northeastward but will still have enough punch to produce areas of rain and thunder as it pivots into the East," LoBiondo said in the release.

More stormy weather could impact Mother's Day weekend, beginning on Friday.

Here is the forecast:

• Tuesday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Areas of fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., 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 47. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph