Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued For 16 NJ Counties

NEW JERSEY - Summer-like temperatures are expected in the Garden State this week, with summer-like thunderstorms to come as well.

Strong to severe storms, localized wind gusts to 60 mph and even small hail are in the forecast for Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. As of 7 a.m., 16 counties have been issued a severe weather outlook by the agency:

• Hunterdon
• Somerset
• Sussex
• Warren
• Morris
• Mercer
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Middlesex
• Passaic
• Hudson
• Bergen
• Essex
• Union

“The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area in a slight risk for severe thunderstorms today and this evening. Strong to locally damaging winds will be the main threat. Brief heavy downpours are also possible,” the National Weather Service said.

Scattered storms are expected to begin in the state on Thursday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. through 7 p.m., although showers and storms could still linger into the evening and overnight, forecasters said. The storms will pass through the state from west to east, meaning that the Jersey Shore will see more severe weather in the late afternoon hours, around 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday temperatures are anticipated to climb up to the low- to mid-80s, with cooler temperatures at the Jersey Shore.

The greatest threat of severe storms lies within the northern 2/3rds of New Jersey, forecasters said, where a “slight” risk was issued, meaning scattered severe thunderstorms are expected. All other counties in New Jersey have been deemed at “marginal” risk, where isolated severe thunderstorms are expected.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.