Heavy Rain, Hail, Damaging Winds Hit NJ

NEW JERSEY - Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and up to 60 mph winds are expected in the Garden State on Saturday, according to forecasters from the National Weather Service. A tornado is also possible.

Showers are expected mostly from late morning through the late afternoon, the service said. Mostly rain is expected over the Garden State, but the Poconos could see less than half an inch of snow.

Some wind gusts could result in power outages and downed trees, according to the agency.

Read more: WATCH: Hail Falls During Thunderstorm In North Jersey (VIDEO)

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the following New Jersey counties, effective through 2:45 p.m.:

• Ocean
• Monmouth

A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for the following New Jersey counties, effective through 2:30 p.m.:

• Hudson
• Passaic
• Union
• Bergen
• Essex

Wind advisories were also issued for Atlantic, Burlington, Monmouth, Middlesex, Cape May and Ocean counties through 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible,” the agency said. “For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.”

At 1:48 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Sayreville or near Perth Amboy, moving northeast at 50 mph. Quarter-size hail was observed.

At 2:04 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was also reported by the service over Lakewood, or seven miles north of Toms River, moving northeast at 55 mph. Quarter-size hail was also observed.

Numerous reports of hail have come in from parts of New Jersey as these storms move through. Take a look at these photos from Bloomingdale! That is hail, not snow! #NJwx https://t.co/sYRtO8F51P
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) November 13, 2021

The storm comes as forecasters monitor a cold front expected to sweep the Garden State and usher in colder weather this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 50 degrees on Sunday and into next week.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.