Dangerous weather is bearing down on New Jersey Monday evening — and officials are warning residents across 13 counties that this is not an ordinary storm system.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued and remains in effect until 9 p.m., covering a wide swath of the state. Authorities say the storms moving through the region are capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and rapid flash flooding — and they aren’t ruling out a brief tornado.
Counties under the severe thunderstorm watch: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, and Somerset.
A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for portions of Burlington County, along with a flood watch covering 15 counties that extends through 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Meteorologists say multiple waves of thunderstorms are expected to push through New Jersey between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. The heaviest storms could produce rainfall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour — more than enough to overwhelm drainage systems and flood roadways within minutes.
“The track of the low pressure system through our area today will lead to the potential for scattered severe thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening with damaging winds the primary threat, however a tornado is also possible,” weather officials warned earlier Monday.
The situation won’t fully clear overnight. A secondary cold front is forecast to sweep through Tuesday afternoon, bringing additional showers and storms — mainly along and southeast of the I-95 corridor.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel during the watch period, stay away from flood-prone areas, and move indoors immediately if severe weather approaches. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads under any circumstances.
Conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday night as the system exits the region.
