Tornado Watch In 10 NJ Counties (UPDATED)

UPDATE: A tornado watch was issued for 10 New Jersey counties as more bad weather was expected Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado warning was issued for parts of the state.

The watch was issued for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem and Warren counties.

Here were the alerted areas at 6 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas at 5:45 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas at 5:15 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas at 4:15 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas at 4 p.m.:

More damaging storms were expected to hit New Jersey Wednesday after a powerful weather system left a path of desruction in some areas of the state. The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado hit a New Jersey school.

A hazardous weather outlook was also issued across New Jersey, saying there is a chance of strong to severe thunderstorms developing late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

The main threat will be damaging winds and large hail. However, an isolated tornado is possible. Much of the rain and thunder is expected to happen after 3 p.m., just when commuters are trying to get home.

Localized flooding is possible as well. The threat is highest just west of the NYC metro area.

Lenape Valley High School was the victim of a tornado during the Tuesday night storms, the National Weather Service has confirmed. Read more: Tornado Hit North Jersey School, NWS Confirms

Here is what else could happen on Wednesday:

• 1-2 inches of rain (locally up to 3 inches possible), which may result in flash flooding especially in urban areas.
• Flooding of small creeks and streams is also possible in the areas of heaviest rainfall.
• Greatest threat is across eastern PA and northern New Jersey, but may be possible in other areas across the region.
• Some of thunderstorms could be severe, with damaging winds as the primary hazard. Large hail and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 11am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Thursday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind around 9 mph.