Nor’easter Headed To NJ Monday: Heavy Rain, Flooding Possible

NEW JERSEY — A coastal storm that could evolve into a powerful nor’easter late Monday or Tuesday is headed to New Jersey, forecasters say.

Heavy rain, coastal flooding and windy conditions are expected in the Garden State, along with possible snow and ice in New York and Pennsylvania, according to the National Weather Service. The northwestern portion of the state could see a light dusting of snow, while the eastern third of the state could see wind gusts up to 50 mph.

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued by the National Weather Service, citing flooding, wind and frost issues, for 15 New Jersey counties through Monday night:

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

Nearly the entire state is slated to see 1 to 1.5 inches of rain accumulation, starting Monday midafternoon, according to AccuWeather, with temperatures around the 50-degree mark. Strong coastal winds are also in the cards, as nor’easters are named for their fierce northeasterly winds that can cause coastal flooding. High tide holds the greatest chance of flooding in New Jersey, the service said, with parts of Cape May County under a coastal flood warning until 3 a.m. Tuesday.

“At this level, widespread roadway flooding occurs in coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal waterways. Many roads become impassable. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur,” the National Weather Service said of the flood warning. “Be prepared for rising water levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Follow the recommendations of local emergency management officials.”

Residents are urged to not drive vehicles through flood waters.

A minor coastal flood threat is also in effect from coastal areas of Middlesex County to Atlantic County, as well as coastal South Jersey and counties hugging the Delaware River as far north as Mercer.

“Up to one foot of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways,” the National Weather Service said. “At this level, flooding begins on the most vulnerable roads along tidal waterways. Some partial or full road closures are possible. At this level, flooding begins on the most vulnerable roads along tidal waterways. Some partial or full road closures are possible.”

The flood threats are in effect from 1 to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect in Hudson, Essex and Union counties from 9 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday.

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.

"Nor’easters can mean heavy snow for the I-95 corridor in winter; but, now that we are well into April, most areas near the coast from southern New England to the mid-Atlantic are in line to see just rain between Monday and Tuesday," said AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Benz in a Sunday weather update.

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 is the latest forecast:

Monday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 50. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.

Monday night: Rain, possibly heavy at times. Low around 41. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to 30 to 35 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.

Tuesday: A chance of showers, mainly before 7 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.

Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.