Flooding levels not likely to exceed moderate levels in North Jersey Sunday
Heavy flooding might not hit North Jersey overnight into Monday as was expected.
The heaviest rainfall area is expected to be east of North Jersey’s eastern counties, according to an update from the National Weather Service in Upton, NY in the 5 p.m. hour.
The service does warn if the front shifts west into the area, several rivers would reach minor flooding levels with a few reaching moderate levels.
Update on rain Sunday night
Now, the heaviest rainfall of 3-5 inches is expected to be east of the North Jersey area.
The NWS did state the "potential exists for a few quick responding small rivers, streams, and creeks to exceed minor flood levels across Northeastern NJ and Westchester and Rockland Counties" into Monday morning.
How much rain in North Jersey?
Most places in North Jersey can expect to get between 1 and 3 inches.
The area record for precipitation, on this date, is 1.6 inches (Newark, Dec. 10, 1969).
"We are expecting scattered flash flooding," said James Tomasini, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, earlier Sunday.
"Look out for any flash flood warnings, and don't try to drive through any flooded road," Tomasini said. "We always say during a flood watch — and especially during a flood warning — don't drive unless you absolutely need to."
A flood watch — there is one issued for all New Jersey counties and throughout the tristate area through 1 p.m. Monday — means that residents should be prepared for flooding, and keep an eye on weather alerts.
A warning means that anyone in a flood-prone area should immediately seek higher ground. You can get the latest information at weather.gov/nyc. Or else stay tuned to local radio and TV stations.
"We monitor the radar, and we'd put out a warning," Tomasini said.
Wind gusts in North Jersey
Winds, meanwhile, could reach up to 45 mph in coastal New Jersey areas, and 40 mph inland. There could be scattered power outages.
The worst of the storm, Tomasini said, will likely be over around 7 a.m. Monday in most places. "But there could be some lingering area flooding," he said.
A wind advisory, issued at 3:20 a.m. and due to expire at 1 p.m. Monday, affects the coastal Atlantic, coastal Ocean, Cape May and eastern Monmouth counties.
Locally Sunday afternoon, rain and possibly a thunderstorm are expected after 1 p.m., with light and variable south winds of 15 to 20 mph in Bergen County, 11 to 16 mph in Passaic County. Between half and three quarters of an inch of rain are possible. Temperatures are expected to reach a high near 59.
On Monday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain before 10 a.m. Clouds will start to clear late morning, with a high near 44, and a breezy west wind of 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37.
A coastal flood advisory was issued at 5:26 a.m. Sunday and is set to expire 10 a.m. Monday.
During the night, the temperatures are expected to drop to around 40 in Bergen County, 38 in Passaic, with a north wind of 13 to 16 mph after midnight, and gusts as high as 28 mph. Between 1 and 2 inches of rainfall is possible.
Storm watch in NJ
A flood watch, in effect since 3:47 am and set to end 11 a.m. Sunday, affects eastern and western Bergen, eastern and western Passaic, eastern and western Essex, eastern and western Union, Hudson, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, eastern and western Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon, Ocean, Cumberland, Atlantic, Salem, Gloucester, northwestern and southeastern Burlington, Camden, and Cape May counties.
Predictions for Eastern Seaboard
The front, extending from Eastern Canada to the Eastern Gulf coast, will bring varying problems to many parts of the country.
Snow is forecast over some higher elevations in New York State and Northern New England.
There is a small chance that some of the thunderstorms that could develop overnight in the southern Mid-Atlantic and the Eastern Gulf Coast might be severe, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s storm prediction center in Norman, OK. There could be possible wind gusts, tornadoes, and — more unlikely — hail.
Staff Writer Ashley Balcerzak contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey flooding likely not as severe Sunday night
