NJ Weather: Severe Thunderstorm Watch In 11 NJ Counties

NEW JERSEY – Another round of severe storms is expected to hit New Jersey on Thursday, packing damaging winds that could lead to more power outages.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for 11 counties and a hazardous weather outlook for the whole state, saying thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon and evening may be accompanied by damaging wind gusts, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall.

The worst of its expected to happen between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Here are the affected areas:

AccuWeather says the storms could be potentially more severe that the thunderstorms that hit New Jersey on Wednesday, producing strong winds, torrential downpours and frequent lightning strikes.

Motorists could run into torrential downpours and flooding, according to AccuWeather. Some of the winds in the storms can be strong enough to break large tree limbs and knock over trees, leading to sporadic power outages, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the forecast:

• Thursday afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 83. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.