NJ Rivers At Risk For Flooding As Forecast Worsens: Latest Timeline

NEW JERSEY - A dozen New Jersey counties are at risk of flooding Wednesday night into the rest of the week thanks to several rounds of rain set to pummel the state.

Up to a quarter inch of rain has already dropped in the Garden State as of Wednesday morning, and up to four inches of precipitation are in the cards through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

As of 10:45 a.m., flood warnings have been issued for the Passaic River, Millstone River and North Branch Rancocas Creek at Pemberton affecting Burlington, Morris, Essex, Somerset and Passaic counties, the weather service said.

“Due to multiple previous rain events happening before the weekend time frame, more precipitation brought to the region may exacerbate the potential for flooding,” the National Weather Service said. “Grounds will already be saturated before the weekend with many rivers already elevated. More rain this weekend could push certain rivers in our region into flood stage or cause rivers coming down from flood stage to rise once again.”

☔️ Some foggy & cloudy conditions this morning will give way to rain developing from south to north. Overall a wet and dreary day with some minor flooding possible across portions of NJ. Friday still looks nice and dry, but then more rain for the weekend. #PAwx #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/EmHRFU8UED
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 6, 2024

As of 9:15 a.m., the following counties are under a flood watch in effect 1 p.m. through Wednesday night:

• Morris
• Somerset
• Middlesex
• Monmouth
• Mercer
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Passaic
• Bergen
• Union
• Essex
• Hudson

AccuWeather is already predicting travel delays and outdoor activity disruption Thursday due to potential flooding, according to its daily forecast.

"The multiple rounds of rain will lead to travel delays with periodic increased flood risk in urban areas," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

Wednesday's rainfall is underway in North Jersey and is expected to arrive by mid-afternoon in the rest of the state, the agency said.

A brief dry spell is expected Friday with temperatures in the mid-50s before rain returns Saturday, with flooding concerns to increase throughout the week due to ground saturation. The silver lining: sunny skies are expected to return to the Garden State just in time for the Monday morning commute.

Here’s the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 56. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly before midnight. Low around 46. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 55. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly before 11 p.m. Low around 47. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Rain, mainly after 10 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 56. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.