NJ Weather: Power Outages, Flooding, 55 MPH Winds Possible In Thursday Storm

NEW JERSEY - Forecasters are warning of power outages, coastal flooding, wind damage and Friday morning travel concerns in New Jersey as a storm expected to bring thunderstorms and up to 55 mph wind gusts inches closer to the Garden State.

A wind advisory in all 21 New Jersey counties has been issued by the National Weather Service as winds 20 to 30 mph (with gusts up to 55 mph) are expected between 11 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday.

Related: NJ Weather: 60 MPH Winds Possible In 'Hurricane-Force' Storm

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the National Weather Service said Thursday morning. “Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.”

Thursday will see up to 35 mph wind gusts during the day and temperatures in the 60s before the storm begins to take a stronghold on the state Thursday evening with moderate to heavy rain and a possible scattered thunderstorm.

“Temperatures will be well above normal today with highs in the mid 60s,” the National Weather Service said in a Thursday tweet. “Winds will then increase in speed and be strong starting late tonight and continuing through Friday morning. Another round of strong winds will be possible Saturday.”

AccuWeather says that high tides on Thursday coupled with pounding waves along the coast “may also lead to property damage along the water's edge.”

Forecasters also note that coastal flooding into Friday and a weekend freeze-up are both possible as temperatures fall back into the 30s.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Thursday Night: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Low around 53. Windy, with a south wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 37 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Windy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Windy.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 39.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.