A powerful nor’easter storm is expected to bring strong winds up to 60 mph and a soaking rain to New Jersey this weekend, with forecasters warning coastal residents that flooding could become serious enough to trigger evacuations.
All 21 New Jersey counties will be under a state of emergency as of 10 p.m. Saturday.
The state of emergency will remain in effect until the storm impacts subside.
N.J. weather: Nor’easter storm to hit state high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding
The National Weather Service has issued coastal storm warnings for the Jersey Shore and along the Delaware and Raritan bays.
“Widespread significant impacts from a strong coastal storm are increasingly likely for our area Sunday and Monday,” the weather service said in a storm briefing Saturday morning.
“The greatest impacts are most likely for marine and coastal areas, which includes significant coastal flooding, substantial beach erosion and dune breaching, strong to damaging winds, and significant waves,” the weather service noted.
N.J. weather: Nor’easter storm to hit state high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding
Although forecasters are not expecting as much rain as they originally predicted, they are concerned about “strong to damaging winds” in coastal areas and also in some inland areas.
Gusts as high as 50 to 60 mph could knock down trees and power lines, the weather service said.
N.J. weather: Nor’easter storm to hit state high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding
Forecasters said “moderate to major coastal flooding is increasingly likely” along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey and also along the Delaware Bay during the high tide cycles on Sunday through Monday.
In low-lying areas near the ocean, the storm surge could get as high as 2 to 3 feet.
Strong winds from the coastal storm will likely cause “widespread roadway flooding, impassable roads, and inundation of structures” at the Jersey Shore, the weather service said.
“Evacuations remain possible,” the weather service said. “Coastal residents are urged to heed any warnings and follow guidance from local officials.”
N.J. weather: Nor’easter storm to hit state high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding
Forecasters have backed off on predictions for 3 to 5 inches of rain at the Jersey Shore, saying they now expect widespread areas of 1 to 3 inches, with the highest numbers along the coast.
Saturday will be the calm before the storm, with mostly cloudy skies and only a slight chance of light rain showers during the day.
Winds are expected to pick up Saturday night into early Sunday, and rain should become more widespread during those hours and continue into Monday night.
N.J. weather: Nor’easter storm to hit state high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding
The extended forecast indicates improving conditions by Tuesday as the storm weakens and moves offshore.
High pressure will begin building into the region during the middle to end of next week, bringing cooler and drier air.
Temperatures are expected to drop from the mid-60s to upper 50s and lower 60s by Thursday and Friday.
Although the storm is expected to be nasty, the rain is needed in New Jersey, which is under a drought watch.
Most of the northern half of the state has moderate drought conditions, and almost 10% of that region now has severe drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor status map.
A wide swath of South Jersey, from Ocean County down to Cumberland County, is “abnormally dry,” one level away from a moderate drought.
Current weather radar
Len Melisurgo
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