A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for all 21 counties in New Jersey, remaining in effect until midnight Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center.
The alert, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 317, was issued at 7:15 p.m. EDT and covers the entire state — every single county, from Bergen and Hudson in the north to Cape May and Cumberland in the south. The full list includes Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
Forecasters say strong to severe thunderstorms moving through the region could bring damaging wind gusts, large hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall. Residents are urged to stay weather-aware throughout the evening and be ready to seek shelter quickly if a warning is issued for their specific area.
The watch isn’t limited to land. Coastal waters are also under the alert, including the Atlantic Ocean from Sandy Hook down to Cape May, as well as Delaware Bay. Boaters in these areas should be prepared for potentially hazardous conditions.
What does a Severe Thunderstorm Watch actually mean? It means conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop in and around the area — it does not mean severe weather is happening right now. However, officials stress that residents should continue monitoring local forecasts and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, in case a warning is issued later.
The watch is set to expire at 12 a.m. Friday, unless the National Weather Service cancels it earlier based on updated conditions.
