Severe Weather Threat On Saturday

Warnings Already Issued For Parts Of Jersey; T-Storm Watch In Effect Until 10:00 PM

The thunderstorm threat is back again.  After thunderstorms fizzled out in the late afternoon and early evening across Jersey, another threat has developed for Saturday.  Strong thunderstorms developed this morning over Western New York near the Eastern Great Lakes.  Storms also developed across Long Island during the course of the morning, but nothing had occurred yet in New Jersey.

However, during the lunch hour, things started to heat up in the Garden State.  Clouds started to build in, and severe thunderstorms developed.  Both of the storm cells were over parts of Central Jersey.  One caused a Severe Thunderstorm Warning to be issued for Mercer, Western Monmouth, Southwestern Middlesex, and Southwestern Somerset County until 2:00 PM.  The other was for Southern Monmouth and Northern Ocean County until 1:45 PM.  These storms had the capability to produce hail and winds in excess of 60 miles per hour.

While these storms have pushed offshore, there are still potential problems.  The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the entire state until 10:00 PM.  Here in Northern Middlesex County, there is a good deal of overcast, and a bit of a breeze out of the east.  Conditions remain humid, but it is a bit cool out for this time of day.   Temperature in South Plainfield is 77 degrees while the dew point is up to 74 degrees.  If the sun comes out though, severe weather is very likely since the heating of the sun will act as a catalyst for the instability that is already in place.

The locations within the watch area can expect hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter, winds in excess of 70 miles per hour, and dangerous lightning.  Looking at the latest radar, a lot of thunderstorm activity could be seen over Southeastern New York in counties such as Orange, Rockland, and Putnam.  Meanwhile, back in the Garden State, there are a few pockets of strong thunderstorms including Sussex County, Warren County, Morris County, and Burlington County.  Nothing threatening Middlesex County yet.  Keep an eye to the sky this afternoon and evening.