N.J. weather: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for 17 counties as nasty storms ramp up

The National Weather Service has placed 17 New Jersey counties under a severe thunderstorm watch because of the threat of strong thunderstorms that could produce hail, heavy downpours and wind gusts as high as 60 mph.

ALSO: Live N.J. power outage tracker: Thunderstorms cut power to thousands of homes

The watch, effective from 4:55 p.m. through 9 p.m. Friday, covers Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.

Forecasters say a strong cold front from the Midwest has started to push its way across Pennsylvania and into New Jersey, clashing with hot and humid air to generate thunderstorms that could become intense. The front already triggered a cluster of thunderstorms in northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey during the past hour, leading to some severe thunderstorm warnings.

Storms that formed in central Pennsylvania in the afternoon were not as strong as expected, prompting the weather service to hold off on issuing a severe thunderstorm watch. But in the late afternoon, new storm cells that moved through eastern Pennsylvania and into northwestern New Jersey ramped up in intensity and forecasters decided to issue a watch.

The Storm Prediction Center, affiliated with the National Weather Service, says all of northern and central New Jersey and part of southern New Jersey have a slight risk of getting hit with severe weather today, while the rest of the region has a marginal risk. A slight risk is the second lowest on a scale of 1 to 5, and a marginal risk is the lowest on the scale.

A severe thunderstorm watch is not as urgent as a warning. It simply puts the public on alert that strong storms with winds capable of knocking down trees and power lines could be on the way.

“Localized power outages due to tree and powerline damage will be possible with any damaging winds,” the weather service’s New Jersey forecast office said. “If any severe hail develops, damage to crops, vehicles, and roofs is possible. If any storms produce exceptionally heavy rain, localized flooding is possible.”

Heat wave looming in N.J.

Much quieter weather is on tap for Saturday and Sunday, with dry conditions, mostly sunny skies and temperatures rising into the low to mid-80s. After that, the first heat wave of the year is expected to hit New Jersey, with temperatures likely to climb into the low 90s Monday and Tuesday, then making a run for the mid-90s on Wednesday.

On top of the steamy temperatures next week, humidity levels will be creeping up, making it feel even hotter outside, forecasters said.

Current weather radar

Stories by Len Melisurgo

• August full moon will be 1st of 4 supermoons in a row, plus a seasonal ‘blue moon’
• Why do spotted lanternflies look different? Experts say there’s a simple answer.
• Mega Millions ticket worth $1M sold in N.J. store as jackpot soars to $498M

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at [email protected] or on X at @LensReality.