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Forecasters are predicting a solid soaking across the New Jersey region on Tuesday and Wednesday, as a coastal storm system moves up the Atlantic.
(National Weather Service)
Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Despite all the cloudy, soggy days we've had in April, most areas of New Jersey and the surrounding region are experiencing rainfall deficits this month.
Rainfall data from the National Weather Service shows the biggest precipitation shortfall is in Atlantic City, which has had just 1.53 inches of rain this month, 1.35 inches below normal, as of Monday morning.
Newark and Trenton are running almost an inch below normal this month, as is New York City. Philadelphia has a rainfall deficit of only 0.33 inches, and Allentown has a deficit of 0.51 inches.
The good news: A slow-moving storm system that is drifting up the Atlantic coast will be bringing a solid soaking to the New Jersey region on Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecasters expect about 1 to 1.5 inches of rain to fall across most of the Garden State and up to 2 inches in eastern sections of the state.
New York City is forecast to get 1.5 to 2 inches of rain and Philadelphia is expected to get about an inch before the rain tapers off on Wednesday.
Gusty winds
The storm could produce wind gusts of 40 mph along the Jersey Shore, according to forecasters from AccuWeather.
Although no coastal flood advisories have been posted so far, the National Weather Service said minor coastal flooding is likely during high tide Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening along oceanfront areas from Monmouth County down to Cape May County and also along the Delaware Bay.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.