NJ weather this weekend: Tropical Storm Ophelia bringing high wind, coastal floods

Jenna Calderón, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·2 min read

UPDATE: See the latest weather report on Ophelia at the Jersey Shore here.

Tropical Storm Ophelia will impact the Jersey Shore beginning Friday night, bringing rain, high winds and coastal flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

The most significant impacts will be felt throughout the day Saturday in southern New Jersey, from Ocean County on, the service said. In Monmouth County, the effect will be similar, but less severe.

Tropical Storm Ophelia

Tropical Storm Ophelia - previously known as Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 - is off the coast of the Carolinas on Friday morning, and was named Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. But by the time it reaches the Jersey Shore, it's expected to be a non-tropical storm.

Moderate to major coastal flooding is forecast with the afternoon & evening high tide on Saturday. If you have interests in low-lying areas near the immediate coast, now is the time to be prepared.
Moderate to major coastal flooding is forecast with the afternoon & evening high tide on Saturday. If you have interests in low-lying areas near the immediate coast, now is the time to be prepared.

"But that really doesn't change the message as to what the overall impacts are going to be," said Matt Brudy, meteorologist for the National Weather Service at Mt. Holly.

Steven DiMartino, meteorologist at NY NJ PA Weather, said that the structure of the storm and the way it generates its energy is what's changing.

As it's moving northward, it's going to transition, allowing the wind field to expand but the core winds to weaken, he said. So the Shore will still see heavy rainfall and flooding, but the winds are spreading out and not as intense.

"Overall, it's not going to be a good weekend for outdoor activity, that's for sure," he said.

Rain is expected to begin around 9 p.m. on Friday, Brudy said, with northeasterly winds onshore ahead of the system. Two to four inches of rainfall is anticipated between the arrival late Friday and when it finally starts to taper off Sunday night.

Weekend washout? We have you covered with rain dates, more for Shore's biggest events

Coastal flood warning

Some minor coastal flooding could hit the northern part of the Garden State over the weekend, Brudy said, but Manasquan to Cape May could see moderate coastal flooding.

"It's going to be over a long enough period of time...that the rate shouldn't be high enough," he said. "Hopefully that's going to alleviate any significant flash flooding concerns."

Northeast wind and waves begin to increase as a storm develops to the south bringing a threat of beach erosion and flooding to the Jersey Shore. Ortley Beach, NJ Friday, September, 22, 2023
Northeast wind and waves begin to increase as a storm develops to the south bringing a threat of beach erosion and flooding to the Jersey Shore. Ortley Beach, NJ Friday, September, 22, 2023

Beach erosion is also possible, Brudy said, especially with the prolonged onshore flow.

"So that combined with the coastal flooding for sure could lead to some [erosion]," Brudy said.

Strong gusty winds are forecast for late tonight into Saturday, peaking during the mid-morning to early afternoon hours. The strongest gusts will be restricted to the immediate coast. These will be accompanied by periods of rain.
Strong gusty winds are forecast for late tonight into Saturday, peaking during the mid-morning to early afternoon hours. The strongest gusts will be restricted to the immediate coast. These will be accompanied by periods of rain.

MORE: Storm surges and hurricanes in New Jersey: Everything you need to know

High wind warning

A high wind warning will be in effect for the shore from Ocean County down, with winds gusting up to 50 mph along the coast and 30 to 40 mph inland, Brudy said. Monmouth County, as well as North Jersey, will be under a wind advisory.

"We could definitely see some impacts," he said. "Downed trees [and] powerlines, power outages, that kind of thing."

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Hurricanes right now include tropical storm heading to Jersey Shore