NJ Nor’easter: See Timeline For Wintry Mix, Heavy Rain, Flooding

NEW JERSEY - Heavy rain, coastal flooding and up to 50 mph wind gusts is in the cards for the Garden State today. But when will nasty weather strike the region?

As of Monday at 2:30 p.m., 15 New Jersey counties are under a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service, citing flooding, wind and frost issues through Monday night. Up to two inches of rainfall are expected in the state, with the average rainfall accumulation expected to be around 1 to 1.5 inches. The listed counties are:

• Middlesex
• Salem
• Ocean
• Cape May
• Atlantic
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Burlington
• Cumberland
• Passaic
• Bergen
• Essex
• Union
• Hudson
• Monmouth

Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties are under a flood watch from 10 p.m. this evening through Tuesday morning. This watch also includes all five boroughs of New York City and Westchester county.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of smaller rivers, creeks, and streams. Flooding may also occur in urban, low lying, and poor drainage areas,” the National Weather Service said.

Cape May is under a coastal flood warning from 7 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday, with one to two feet of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

“At this level … Many roads become impassable. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. “E prepared for rising water levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Follow the recommendations of local emergency management officials.”

Snow may mix in with rain along the interior of the Northeast, while Pennsylvania and New York may mainly see snow, AccuWeather added. The highest snowfall totals — up to 3 inches — should be on grassy surfaces and mountainous terrain.

However, AccuWeather meteorologists say it's not entirely off the table that a light or slushy coating of snow could hit elsewhere, especially on untreated roads and sidewalks.

Here’s what’s expected to happen:

• Widespread minor coastal flooding is expected along coastal New Jersey and along the Delaware river, with moderate coastal flooding expected in Cape May County. Although most flooding should be minor, and limited to urban and poor drainage areas, there may be some rises in the rivers as well.
• Sustained winds from 25-35 mph could gust up to 50 mph. This could result in tree damage or power outages this evening through Tuesday morning.
• Rain is expected to be ushered into the state mainly after 4 p.m., although earlier scattered showers are possible. Heavier rain should begin after 7 p.m. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches are expected, with localized totals up to 2 inches in parts of the state (notably along the New Jersey coast). Tuesday morning should see rain until 11 a.m. with wind gusts as high as 30 mph.
• The coastal storm should pass into New England by Tuesday mid-morning, with temperatures in the 40s to mid-50s in the Garden State.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Monday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Southeast wind around 15 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Rain, mainly after 7 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 40. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 20 mph. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: Rain likely before 7 a.m., then a chance of showers, mainly between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.