WAYNE, NJ — Wayne residents can expect more rain Thursday, and more heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit the state again Friday as Tropical Storm Debby moves north.
Meteorologists say Debby is weakening as it heads that way — but the deadly storm is still expected to bring severe storms, lots of rain, and possibly some tornadoes to the Garden State.
The first rains will reach New Jersey on Thursday, but meteorologists say Friday will be primarily focused on weather-related problems such as flooding, power outages and storm damage.
Precipitation amounts have decreased, with forecasters now saying Wayne Township can expect up to two inches of rain or more by Friday night. Police say there have already been some flash floods along Willowbrook Boulevard and Hamburg Turnpike this week.
The National Weather Service is classifying the risk of isolated flash flooding for Wayne and Passaic County as “low” on Friday, and the risk of destructive winds and heavy hail as “marginal” (the next lowest level).
“The risk of flooding and severe weather will depend on Debby’s track and the speed of the approaching cold front,” said weather experts at the NWS office in New York City.
The good news is that with Debby’s departure, the weather forecast calls for a period of drier, cooler weather with lower humidity.
Here is a forecast for Wayne Township through Sunday from the National Weather Service:
Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Cloudy, high around 71. East wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday night: Showers possible, then likely showers and possibly thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Cloudy, low around 69. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent. Nine precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, but higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Showers likely and possible thunderstorms. Cloudy, high around 27°C. Southeast wind 11 to 25 km/h, gusts up to 50 km/h. Chance of precipitation 70%. New precipitation amounts between 1.3 and 1.9 cm possible.
Friday night: Showers and possible thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Low around 71. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and an inch possible.
Saturday: 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Sunny, high around 28°C. West wind 14 to 21 km/h.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, low around 62.
