Weather in New Jersey: Updated rain forecast due to tropical storm system

While Tuesday is likely to remain dry in most parts of New Jersey, the first rain in over a week is expected sometime in the following three days.

Although a low pressure system that has drenched parts of coastal North Carolina with 15 to 20 inches of rain won't have nearly as much impact in New Jersey, it could meet up with a second low pressure system and bring some precipitation to New Jersey at least through Thursday, according to meteorologists.

Rainfall of about half an inch or less is possible in coastal areas of South Jersey from Tuesday night into Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

As the secondary low pressure system moves closer to the coast, more rain is possible. But currently, models indicate that this is not the case, the weather service said in its morning forecast briefing.

There is a 50 percent chance of rain during the day on Wednesday, with a lower chance of rain at night and into Thursday. Both days are expected to be mostly cloudy.

There is only a 20% chance of precipitation from Wednesday night into Thursday night “as it tends to be a little drier. Precipitation amounts have also been trending down,” the weather service said, noting “the amount decreases pretty quickly the farther you get from the coast.”

The unstable weather will continue and since a low pressure area is “meandering” off the coast, showers cannot be completely ruled out on Thursday, the weather service said.

There is a high risk of rip currents on New Jersey beaches through Wednesday.

Over the next three days, temperatures will be around 21 degrees during the day and fall to below 15 degrees at night.

A flood warning is in effect for Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday. There is also a risk of small and isolated flooding on the New Jersey coast.

Due to the dry conditions that have persisted for days, there is no great risk of flooding overall, say meteorologists.

Current weather radar

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Jeff Goldman can be reached at [email protected].