Powerful Storm System Could Bring Gusty Winds, Hail, Lightning, and Tornadoes In Addition To Heavy Rain

Last night, I had posted to the blog about the likelihood of heavy rains through today and part of tomorrow across much, if not all, of New Jersey. After writing that post to the blog, I saw on CNN that the National Weather Service was indicating the possibility of a derecho developing in the Midwest, and traveling eastward into the Mid-Atlantic. At the time, Southern Jersey appeared to be more likely in the crosshairs of the derecho.

After looking at the National Weather Service forecast discussions and info from the Storm Prediction Center, I learned that there was more of a threat for Central Jersey including Middlesex County as well. In the least, our area was going to get gusty winds and heavy rains. This morning, the headline in today’s Star-Ledger said, “SEVERE WEATHER ALERT.” Now, it is possible that we could get some hail, dangerous lightning, and maybe even a tornado. We’ll see.

If you recall, last year almost to the day, there was a powerful derecho system that formed in the Midwest near Iowa, rambled through Chicago and the Ohio Valley, and battered the extreme southern portion of the state as well as West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. with hurricane force winds up to 81 miles per hour. For those, who do not know what a derecho is, it is a weather term for a squall line, or powerful line of storms that travel a very long distance and bring strong winds over that distance.

Derechos are often fueled by strong domes of high pressure that bring extreme heat and humidity over a part of the United States. At the time of the derecho, the Eastern portion of the U.S. was dealing with a serious heatwave. Another example of a derecho was the Labor Day Storm of 1998 that brought strong winds throughout much of the Garden State including here in Northwestern Middlesex County. The Labor Day derecho had its origins in Michigan on that warm, humid morning, and then traveled several hundred miles into the Garden State, where it brought powerful straight line winds by the mid-afternoon.

Already there have been thunderstorms moving through the area, and they have produced some rainfall. Severe weather has mostly been contained to the south in Southern Jersey from Camden County through Cumberland County, and into Ocean and Atlantic County. More could be on the way though since the storm system with a trailing cold front is still approaching the region. Be sure to pay attention to your local news outlets, NOAA Weather Radio, or the Weather Channel for updates. Also, make sure that you have batteries, flashlights, and radios available in case the power goes out.