Severe Thunderstorms To Hit NJ Friday: Latest Updates, Timing

Latest update: A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for 17 New Jersey counties Friday through 9 p.m. Two counties are under a warning. MORE.

NEW JERSEY — Damaging winds, possible hail and thunderstorms are in store Friday afternoon and evening following a "rather tranquil" day, according to the latest forecast.

Severe storms are possible particularly in North Jersey, the National Weather Service said, bringing with it damaging straight line winds and maybe some large hail.

The flash flooding risk is low, but cannot be entirely ruled out in the northwestern areas of the state, forecasters said.

By the overnight hours, the storm will have moved off-coast, making for some temporarily nicer weather.

"In the wake of this severe threat, the cold front will do its job in bringing a few days of cooler air, but it's a short reprieve," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joseph Bauer. "Next week, high pressure currently over the West can move over the mid-Atlantic, setting the stage for a significant warmup."

The weekend is "not much to write home about" according to the National Weather Service - it'll be comfortable and sunny.

"Overall, a stellar weekend!" the National Weather Service said. But once Monday rolls around, the state is poised to receive its first heat wave of the year.

Here's the latest forecast:

North Jersey

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 89. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 64. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind 6 to 8 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Central Jersey

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 3am, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

South Jersey

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.